The Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit staff received notice today at 11:51am after a meeting of the various Mayors in and around the Spring Valley area, the Illinois Public Health Dept., and the local County Sheriffs dept that the MWC Spring Valley event scheduled for March 20-21 will have to be cancelled.
Therefore, we have no choice but to CANCEL the March 20-21 Spring Valley, IL event.
We are very sorry for the hardship on our anglers as we have 80 teams registered so far with registrations still coming in and we know some teams are already there practicing. WE will attempt to reschedule, however to be clear we are NOT sure we can reschedule. The DNR do not need the fish for their hatchery after they have spawned and our open dates are very limited. If we reschedule for early April we run the risk of the state of Illinois extending their bans and rules and cancelling us again. BUT we will do what we can and if we reschedule and you cannot attend, we will gladly issue a refund. So stay tuned for that information forth coming as soon as we can put it together.
For future reference, all indications prior to today were that this event was a go and would be held. With that in mind and with your safety always being the first concern we had\have developed special procedure’s to limit interaction and group gatherings by utilizing “call in” check in via the phone systems, instead of check-in in person, then streaming the rules meeting\briefing online and holding it outside in open air and by using smaller and extra flight times, extra weigh in tanks and other restrictions keep all groups to less than 50 persons at a time per CDC rules and all people at least 6 foot apart in the weigh in tanks. Plus limiting it to only one partner bringing fish up, etc. and we will likely continue those special procedures for other events at least through the end of April or as long the COVID-19 situation is in place by federal, state or local officials.
But with conditions changing and the Illinois officials requiring shutdowns of all bars and restaurants in the state to any “in person” dining and with the other rules now in place, we are not able to hold the Spring Valley event March 20-21 as planned.
It is no one’s fault the local community has to err on the side of caution and while we are disappointed of course we support and will honor their decision for everyone’s best interest. In the grand scheme of life it is unpleasant to cancel an event no one is happy, but not as unpleasant as getting sick and in the end we will all get to fish another day just not this weekend at Spring Valley.
As a reminder, and as health experts have publicly advised there is no reason to panic, the chances of contracting and certainly dying from COVID-19 is very small according to health experts. According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) for most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is LOW. Based on the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on everyday prevention of any viral infection, such as the flu or Covid-19 we HIGHLY recommend the following tips:
- STAY HOME – when sick or living with a sick person.
- DISTANCE – stay at least 6 feet away for other persons
- COVER – the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
- OFTEN – Wash your hands OFTEN with soap and water.
- ROUTINELY – clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
- LIMIT – face-to-face contact or Hand to face or eyes contact.
- CONSULT a healthcare provider as needed.
Full text of the Official Communication to us on cancelling is below.
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From: SPRING VLY
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 11:51 AM
To: Robert
Cc:
Subject: Re: Spring Valley MWC
Based on recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control, it has been determined that in the interest of public health and safety the Spring Valley MWC Tournament scheduled for March 20-21, 2020 be canceled.
Thank you.
Regards,
City of Spring Valley, IL
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Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience, we greatly appreciate your continued support of MWC and of Spring Valley. We wish each of you safe travels and to stay safe and we hope to see you on the circuit in 2020 as it would be our honor to have you there!
MWC Staff
Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
