There may be times when existing Full Members aren't able to curl due to injuries, maternity/paternity leave, sabbaticals, or other circumstances. Therefore, our club isn't always at full capacity - there could be spaces available in evening leagues or daytime pickup.
Broomstones also currently has a waitlist for Full Membership that includes experienced curlers that could potentially drop in at any time and fill these gaps - hence the creation of the Flex Curling program.
Each half-season, we determine how many "gaps" exist in our leagues and daytime curling programs. We then reach out to experienced curlers on our waitlist and offer these slots. Those that are higher on our waitlist have priority - but depending on what is available, even people lower on the waitlist might be able to play.
It's kind of a win-win - we get to know some of these people on our waitlist and fill some empty slots and they can get to experience Broomstones a little while they retain their spot on the waitlist.
What's the catch? Good question...it really comes down to the fact that while Flex curlers can play despite being on the waitlist, they aren't "Full" members at Broomtones. Technically, they are "Limited" members which means they cannot vote in club elections, hold office, have an account on our website, reserve practice ice, declare that they belong to Broomstones for bonspiels, etc. They are simply allowed to play in the league slot assigned to them.
Also, their pariticpation isn't guaranteed to be on-going from year-to-year or even half-to-half. If Full members who aren't curling this half return to play, or if some members who are curling only one night opt to play two leagues next half, then certainly there will be less empty league slots and a lower demand for Flex curlers. Therefore, some Flex curlers (those that are deepest on the waitlist) will not be needed and will no longer be Flex curlers, but will retain their current position on the waitlist.
But, we hope this program gets more people curling and our beautiful ice more utilized!
