Decision on ping pong arbitrary, ill-founded

This is in response to the letter from Mary Alice Nelson, president of the Spokane Valley Senior Citizens Association, regarding table tennis at the senior center, and her response to the letter from Mary Yates in the Valley Voice on April 15.

I only joined the senior center on Feb. 8, and was accepted as a member of the ping pong group on the very first day. Fourteen players were on hand with one table to play on. Apparently, there had been two tables in the past, but one was put into storage.

The only discussion with the players was three letters that gradually ended play at the senior center. In this letter the statement was made: “A location was needed where seniors could play and not interfere with or disturb classes, meetings, bridge tournaments, and other games.”

Now that the public has been invited to tour the beautiful building, which the seniors may use five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., what will the public find? A tour guide may point out the fine multipurpose room on the second floor that has hardwood flooring; it is apparently used for many activities.

The floor is covered with tables and chairs for bingo on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. with the same safety requirements, including flooring, lighting and sufficient space for casual play. The area could be used with proper scheduling for six to eight hours a week, either in the morning or afternoon. It would only be used about 14 hours a week, according to the monthly calendar.

But now that the Hepton Center on Barker Road is the new game location in the Valley for ping pong, I find that the arbitrary decision has eliminated my attendance at the center.

I had arrived on a Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m., and nobody had arrived at the gym. I tried to use my cell phone and discovered that it would not work inside the building; I had to go outside the building to call another player, who was busy at that time. My wife’s caregivers need to be able to reach me by cell phone for emergency calls. Mary Alice knows that it works at the senior center.

The senior center has bus service every half hour, but the bus service stops at Appleway and Barker Road, which misses the Hepton Center by about two miles. Was this part of the decision-making process with the board?

Someone has to assure me that “The purpose of the Association is to promote fellowship, health, recreation, and social and educational activities for persons 50 years of age and older” is really without outside influence or personal wishes for me to believe in this purpose.