The Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center may still be under construction and programs scattered everywhere, farmed out to temporary locations like Saint Barnabas Parish Hall, Virginia Villa or Bainbridge Performing Arts, but that hasn’t slowed the ability of members to come up with new ideas for still more activities.
The next time you are on Brein Avenue to check out the progress of the reconstruction, step inside and peek into the commons, where you are likely to see a fierce pingpong game in action.
No, you are not suffering from watching too many Olympic events on television.
The center now has a new sport to add to its long list of activities. The game in progress in the commons may not match the Olympic level of play, but I’ll bet our players are having more fun.
Pingpong at the Senior Center is another great example of the power of one.
A member gets an idea and pursues it. He or she talks about it with friends and discovers others are interested. Our always receptive staff offers encouragement, but the idea is the member’s to develop and mold into a successful pursuit.
Senior Center pingpong was the brainchild of Dale Spoor. He and Jim Gleckler looked for and found tables at the Rotary auction.
Once the tables were transported and installed in the commons, they were set up and play could begin.
Two game times have been scheduled. Players may come to the commons on Monday afternoons from 2 to 3 p.m. and on Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. Anyone can play and drop-ins are always welcome.
There has been talk of possible evening or week-end games. These can be arranged by contacting assistant director Eileen Magnuson at 206-842-1616 during the center’s regular hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pingpong, our newest addition, is one more example of the magic that makes our Senior Center the active place it is. Of course we are all grateful to the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Parks & Recreation Department for providing our staff and managing our programs, and to the city of Bainbridge Island for the building we inhabit, but there is a third element without which the Senior Center would not be the successful organization that it is today.
New construction can reinforce the walls and foundations of our building, but the real strength and vitality of the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center comes from the energy and creativity of its members.
They continually come up with great ideas for new activities that we all benefit from.
Thank you, Dale, for bringing your love of pingpong to the Senior Center for all of us to enjoy.
Thanks also to all the members past, present and future who have shared their interests and talents with the rest of us.
Is there a program you would like to see at the Senior Center? Come in and talk to the staff, figure out what is needed and make it work. Members are waiting to sign up and join you in your offering.
