Community Gem Needs Polishing

My name is Barb Zipoy (Bloomington, MN) and I am a bridge player and huge fan of the Bridge Center and keeping bridge in our community and keeping the bridge center alive.  I play at the Bridge Center frequently and it needs help to stay alive and thriving.  

The Bridge Center has been a fixture in Minneapolis since 1960. There have been very few updates or improvements since it opened. 

The bridge center is in desperate need of an update & some cheerful renovation. The outside of the building is an eyesore and with some minor repairs and a fresh coat of paint it would be much more welcoming not only for bridge players but also for the community as a whole.

The structure is damp, windows are broken, the parking lot needs resurfacing, walls need paint, carpet is old & stained, ceilings leak, bathrooms need updating, chairs are torn, broken & don’t match, windows & doors are rotting, the office is in disarray, appliances are ancient & storage areas are messy & cramped.
 
With rising taxes, the cost of utilities, basic upkeep and efforts to keep the cost of playing bridge and using the center low for seniors, new retirees and students there is not enough money for upgrades.

Teri Blu and her husband own and run the Bridge Center and are there every day. Their daughter also fills in when she can.  It is a place not only for those who play bridge but also for anyone who wants a place to meet, talk or get away.  The bridge center offers a unique and valued service for bridge players and the city as a whole.
 
 A Bridge Center, may not seem like a worthy cause, however, it an important place & worthy of a makeover.

  Volunteers spend countless hours working with people who come to the center & also taking care of the building.  The Center & those who use it are an important part of the community. 

The Bridge Center is the only place of its kind in Minneapolis.  It would be a shame if the 300 plus people who use it weekly would not have a place to go.

The refrigerator is always stocked & coffee is on.  If you need a place to go, all are welcome. There is always someone there with a smile and a kind work.

Teri works tirelessly.  She goes to garage sales in search of items for the Center, coffee cups, pencils, furniture, etc. Teri takes time to make sure everyone has a bridge partner.  She is a fabulous bridge player but plays with beginners if they need a partner.

All the faithful volunteers run tournaments, potlucks, daily games, birthday parties, gives lessons etc.  They call or send cards if you are sick. Various groups of worshippers use the Center on Sunday mornings for their services and Teri has even played the piano for them. She never says no to anyone.

The bridge community would love to recruit younger people and recent retirees to play bridge.  The bridge center would attract more players if it were more up to date.

For the senior and about to retire community the Bridge Center is a wonderful place to spend time.  It provides socialization, interaction, and caring.

It is open 7 days a week.  Many lifelong friendships have been made.  There are games and events throughout the year to raise money for Alzheimer’s and many other charitable organizations.

 

Some of he many things the Bridge Center is or has been used for over the years are
 
Daily bridge games –one or two every day

Scrabble games

Bridge lessons

Bridge practice sessions

Visiting and social support

Church services

Tournaments

Memorial services

Birthday parties
 
Many volunteers spend countless hours helping, bringing food, cleaning, setting up.  Many have spent their own money to donate items that are needed.

The Bridge center is on the bus line and has plenty of parking

Any money raised will be used to update the bridge center as follows:

Paint and repairs outside and inside

New Chairs

New Carpet

Repair parking lot

Updated and bathroom and kitchen
 
This will not be an extravagant undertaking and updates will be done as cost effectively as possible.  I will form a committee prioritize the repairs and updates.
 
You will be investing in the future of the game of bridge and the senior citizens of the community.
Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity


From Bridgetable.net
 

“Having a goal such as achieving mastery in bridge is a great way to keep engaged. And the concept of improving your bridge game over time could be considered a microcosm of improving yourself over time. Just as you always try to better your bridge skills, you can also always try to better yourself, no matter how old you are. It’s this attitude of always stubbornly fighting to improve is the hallmark of the survivor and could favorably influence the longevity and vitality of bridge players.”