Double Runners Pinochole Group met at the Battle Ground Senior Center two afternoons a week for decades, paying rent, potlucking, and storing supplies, seat cushions, and food. Roots invaded the sewer line. We stopped potlucking for months and met elsewhere during remodeling.
The first day back, our coordinator was invited in at 11:28, two minutes before our allotted time. He was yelled at for 10 minutes by a representative of the BG Seniors 501 (c) (3), while others arrived and joined the scolding. The representative remained in the parking lot to monitor the delinquent seniors. We were told the rules for use of the facility:
Food handlers couldn’t cook at the center because the new stove was only a warming stove. Cooking utensils were gone. Everything we used would have to be carried in and out.
The only supply we received in the first month was a small stack of foam plates that melted in the microwave. The group donated $20 to $40 each week.
We were reprimanded a second time because someone placed a bag of cookies in our cupboard. We were given a partial shelf in the storage room for playing supplies, but we were reprimanded a third time when an unopened bag of chips (not ours) was placed there.
When asked about the usability of the remodeled center, our coordinator reported poor acoustics due to the hard surfaces of the ceiling, walls, floors, tables, and chairs. She was told every group reported the same problem. Two weeks later, she was told we were the only group reporting the problem. The poor acoustics caused several of our members with hearing aids to refuse to attend. The placement of the sinks and paper towel dispensers in the restrooms created an unsafe, wet floor. We were told to leave the restroom doors open. How that fixes a wet floor is beyond anyone’s understanding.
Our coordinator received multiple unpleasant phone calls and emails about these issues and was threatened with expulsion if we received any more “write-ups.” The group was accused of being unable to accept change. We won’t accept insults or pettiness. A responsible group of seniors voted to play elsewhere after decades of use of the Battle Ground Senior Center.
Gloria Braunschweig
Vancouver
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