Please click into the glcc.infocommunity.org link and give your suggestions for our new community center. It is important that we all advocate for table tennis. Please see the email below that I sent to David Graves, the SPR design coordinator. The questionaire has one place where you will want to check "Table Tennis". I've attached an image of that part of the form so you do not miss it. If all 300 of you click this, it will let them know we care.

Input needed for new Green Lake Community Center

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to provide input on three site concepts and programming preferences for a new Green Lake Community Center and Pool. Please join the Online Open House between July 22 and August 20 at glcc.infocommunity.org and register for the live online public meeting that will be held Wednesday, July 29 at noon. This is an opportunity for the community to hear from the design team, Miller Hull and the Berger Partnership, and provide input on the facility location and design of building spaces. It is also an important opportunity for the design team and Seattle Parks and Recreation to hear from the community and get input on the site and community programming desires for the new facility. Please participate and learn about the next steps for the future Green Lake Community Center and Pool.

To: David Graves and Miller Hull Partnership:

I was invited after the last virtual public meeting to draft recommendations for our table tennis program at the future community center. David, I’m not sure who the correct person at Miller Hull would be to receive this email. Please forward it as you see fit.

Our table tennis program has existed for close to a third of the time the 90 year-old building has existed. Before the COVID-19 shutdown, the community center offered table tennis in the gym 18 hours per week over 5 days. We attract 20 to 40 players on any evening or weekend day, and have had 1000 unique visitors over the last several years.  We set up 12 to 15 tables in the gym based on expected turnout and planned activities. Large 8 foot high divider nets are strung across the gym to separate play areas and keep balls from straying between tables. Tables are stored in the large storage room next to the gym.

Our program is the largest in Seattle, attracting players from around the region, and visitors to Seattle due to our web presence (glttc.org). We have huge diversity in age, gender, country of origin, and level of play. The following design considerations will help us continue to serve our community.

Space and layout of gym/play area

The space required for each table depends on the level of play. Beginners need little space behind and around the tables, while our more advanced. I've attached a diagram that shows one way we satisfy the needs of the different groups using our custom gym divider nets. These nets were purchased for us by the Advisory Council about 10 years ago. We did some custom design work to allow them to be easily attached to gromits we screwed into the gym walls.

The gym dimensions determine not just the space available for each table, but the number of tables that can be set up. This becomes an economic consideration for us. Our program operates on Saturday evenings and Sundays, times that are currently outside regular community center hours. This is made possible by the center hiring building monitors at a flat hourly cost. We need to bring in enough players to meet and exceed the cost. Fewer players will come and pay if they need to wait too long to get on a table. As a result, it is to our advantage to have a larger space that would accommodate more tables.

Lighting level and outside light mitigation

Lighting is critical for table tennis play beyond the beginner level. About 15 years ago, the center upgraded the gym lighting to the current 3-level system. This change allowed us to become the top Seattle table tennis location. While the requirement for Olympic level play is 1000 lux, 500 lux should be fine for our level. Also important is that the level is constant throughout the gym. We currently have a lower level by the wall on the west side. This restricts how we can set up for leagues and tournaments.

Stray outdoor light can be a problem depending on time of day and the season. This is currently the case with the high windows on the south side of the gym. If natural light is desired for other sports or uses, it would be good to have shades.


Storage space

Our tables are set up and put away before and after our play times. We currently have a storage room that is attached to the gym. We need to store the tables, gym dividers, and ball barriers. Since the center is currently closed, I can't give suggested dimensions at this time. Setup and breakdown takes about 40 minutes out of our play-time, so it is important that this process will be as easy as possible. The center recently replaced a high threshold between the storage room and the gym. Some of our tables were damaged by being rolled over the old threshold over many years.

Waiting area for players, friends, parents, or children

There is currently no suitable waiting area at the current center. The raised area on the east side of the gym might have served this purpose, however there is no direct access from the gym level. The addition of a waiting area could be the single most valuable addition. It could function in several ways:

As mentioned earlier, it is to our advantage to have more players. This means some people will be waiting when all the tables are full. Ideally, the waiting area should be a raised area with a view of the play below. Small round tables and chairs would make it more inviting. Players who are waiting could talk with each other, read, or snack while waiting to play their next match. This would reduce dissatisfaction when a large pool of players is present. It could also help build social connections. Our general "open play" model allows our diverse player base to play with others at their level. Because of the nature of our sport, a 12 year old could play at an equal level with a 40 year old, and a student from Montana could be matched with an immigrant from Ethiopia. I can't think of any other sport where this might happen. The waiting area could help such connections between strangers to grow.

The waiting area would also make it nicer for non-players to come with their friends and family. A parent might need to be present for their child. Players might want to bring their young children without the risk of them being too close to the tables. Friends or families might come together, increasing the likelihood that non-players might participate in other community center activities and programs.

Alternate smaller space

The gym is obviously used by other activities. It would be nice to have a smaller room close to the table storage that would fit 2 or 3 tables. While 28 feet by 13 feet is recommended for recreational level play, a smaller room would be acceptable for such a purpose. Such a room would allow for classes, regular practice by serious players, and drop-in play for teens and families. There could be synergy between the larger weekend/evening program and the activity in the smaller space.

Thank you for all your work. It is exciting to watch as this project takes form.

Kim Goldov