HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.2 Expansion of Senior Center Ping Pong Program D " r
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fit\„, SENIOR AGENDA STATEMENT
l V SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
'-'16t�. 0P-V~ MEETING DATE: December 3, 2009
SUBJECT: Expansion of Senior Center Ping Pong Program
Report Prepared by Paul McCreary,Assistant Director of Parks
and Community Services
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive report and provide input on the proposed plan
DESCRIPTION: At the October 1, 2009 Advisory Committee Meeting, Staff
presented the summer quarterly report. The Advisory Committee noted the increase in attendance for
ping pong and requested Staff report back on the feasibility of expanding the program.
Currently the Senior Center has one ping pong table that was purchased by the Dublin Senior Center
Foundation. It is a durable, heavy-weight table that is setup in Classroom B. This room had been
primarily used for computer training classes prior to adding the ping pong program. Staff chose this room
for ping pong due to its size, which is small enough to make it easy to recover errant balls. This room
also had the most available time slots for new programming compared to the other classrooms.
The program is currently offered for drop-in play three days per week for a total of 15 hours as follows:
• Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The program has continued to grow in popularity since this past summer. During the months of
September and October the average weekly attendance was 30. Despite adding the Saturday hours that
began in September, there is still a need to increase program capacity. By purchasing more tables,
participants would have more playing time and wait less for their turns. Currently the players rotate every
15 minutes. In one hour, eight players can only play 15 minutes per hour.
Staff recommends expanding the number of tables and relocating some of the program hours to the
Ballroom. By expanding the number of tables more players can be accommodated during program hours.
It would also better address the varying skill levels of players by providing tables for beginners as well as
advanced players. This can make it less intimidating for someone who is a novice and wants to learn the
sport.
COPIES TO:
ITEM NO.: 7.2
G:\SRADVCIVITE\Statements\2009\12-3-09 Item 7.2 Ping Pong Program.doc
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In order to make the program feasible in the Ballroom, the existing ping pong table would need to be
slightly modified to eliminate the chance of damaging the wood floor. Additionally Staff proposes
purchasing two more lighter-weight tables and game equipment, as well as netting to prevent errant balls
from travelling across the length of the Ballroom. Based on the size of the tables they would not fit in the
existing storage rooms and would need to be folded and stored in Classroom B when not in use. This will
require Staff to rearrange and relocate some of the furnishings, equipment and supplies currently in
Classroom B.
Staff estimates the total cost of the additional equipment at approximately $2,000. Based on•the current
economic conditions the City will need to find outside funding to purchase the equipment. Once funding
is identified and the equipment becomes available to the City, Staff would modify the program schedule
based on the current availability of the Ballroom as follows:
• Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (3 tables in the Ballroom)
• Wednesdays from 9:00 to 12:00 p.m. (1 table in Classroom B)
• Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. (1 table in Classroom B)
• Fridays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (3 tables in the Ballroom)
• Saturdays from 9:00 to 12:00 (1 table in Classroom B)
If demand continues to grow, when the program is held in Classroom B, Staff would setup the two
additional tables in Classroom A on a space available basis.
In addition to expanding the availability of the ping pong program, this new schedule would also free up
Classroom B for six more hours of computer training per week.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Advisory Committee receive the report and
provide input on the proposed plan.
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