To friends and players:

I'm writing to let you know that I'm stepping back from my table tennis volunteer activity at the Green Lake Community Center. I started playing and helping out at GLCC around 2007. I purchased the glttc.org domain and created the website and email list. I created and fabricated the gym divider system, worked with Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) to purchase tables and equipment, helped organize several annual weekend tournaments, and repaired nets, barriers, and tables. I wrote the "kanban" match scheduling app that was used by almost 1000 players from 2018 to 2023. I worked with SPR/ARC in 2019 to create a fundraiser to purchase new Joola tables. Close to $7000 was donated by 60 players.

SPR announced in 2021 that the 9 weekend hours we had had for over 20 years would not continue. They suggested we could become a rental. This led to our partnership with the Seattle Parks Foundation (SPF). Together with SPF, we proposed offering free play on Saturday and Sunday evenings, paying the cost of the required recreation attendant from player donations. 

At this point, SPR has shut down use of the kanban match scheduling app, they have refused to allow a role for SPF, and they have presented us with a non-negotiable draft "service contract" that includes an additional 50% gym rental fee. After having asked for your donations in 2019, I am not comfortable asking you to donate again to a city entity that doesn't appear to have the interests of the public as its first priority. I have removed the GLCC contact information from the glttc.org website per Daisy Catague's request. Complete documentation remains at https://www.glttc.org/weekends/

If anyone wants to continue working with SPR in order to get weekend play restarted, they can reach out to Brian Judd, Interim Recreation Division Director at SPR. Brian can be reached at Brian.Judd@PROTECTED or 206-615-0381. If you would like a refund for the unredeemed portions of your 2019 weekend punch card, I suggest asking at the GLCC front desk. You might also try contacting Brian Judd.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with the GLTTC over the years. Please let me know if you have ideas about how to create a new opportunity for table tennis in North Seattle outside of SPR.

Sincerely,

Kim Goldov