Hi, I am Tim. I just came from China by the end of last month. Now I am working in an IT outsourcing company as a system administrator in Vancouver. I'm mainly working in the UNIX and storage device administration. Regarding to the badminton, I used to play it once a week in China for almost three years. Because I am a middle-age man (Too old ? , usually I played double game. Men double or mixed double is OK. Hope to play with you in the future.
Hey Tim. Always glad to see another fellow BFer from Vancouver. Where do you usually play nowadays? -Rick
I just arrived here for 3 weeks. So I have not find a place to play. And actually I have not idea about the basic rule for attending the badminton club. For example, what does it mean "drop-in". Now I live in a place nearby MetroTown. Any suggestion for me ?
Hey TimTim, Welcome to BF, and welcome to Canada as well! For your information, drop-in means just that... dropping into a club and play. Usually, you pay around $5 to play in one session. However, there are some private clubs that you have to pay alot for annual membership to play. If you're living in MetroTown, the nearest drop-in place is Bonsor Recreational Center. Check them out for the schedules and time. I haven't played there yet (I also live nearby), but they play with nylon shuttles and I heard that it's not very competitive.
The Bonsor Community center (behind Metrotown shopping center) has badminton sessions and is possibly closest to your home. Not sure when but it used to be Wednesdays and Sundays. You can go to the community center and check the schedule. They use nylon shuttles, and probably for someone who comes from China may have to get used to them. There are places like Collingwood neighbourhood center (very close to Joyce skytrain station) or the Burnaby South school on Saturday mornings. For "drop-in" badminton, you have to pay a fee (usually $3 to $5 in community centers) to enter the gym to play. For example, if you go to Bonsor Community center to play badminton, you'll have to go to the counter, pay the receptionist the required fee and then proceed to the gym to play. Remember to take shuttles with you.
Since you're living so near Metrotown, you could take the Skytrain and go all over Burnaby and Vancouver to play. I highly recommend Cameron Rec. Center near Lougheed Mall. It has a decent gym and usually has a fair number of good calibre players. Most of them play with nylon shuttles. Only problem is that because it's drop-in mainly, it could get really busy and they'll kick you out if you didn't call ahead to book. Also, quality of players fluctuates too.
TimTim, The have it on Mondays in the afternoon, Wed nights, and Sundays it's 8:30am - 11am, and also 8pm - 10pm approx.
And let's not forget that there is badminton at Collingwood Neighbourhood House as well, and Collingwood is right there at Joyce Station. I remember that they used to have badminton on Wednesday evenings, but the level of play is more recreational during that time. On Sundays from 12 to 2:30, however, Break-My-Strings runs a session for the more advance players. -Rick
Thanks Traum for the intro... Hi TimTim, welcome to BF. You did not mention your level of play except playing w/ feathers, but here is the info on Bonsor Rec Centre Monday 9am-11am 4-courts Wed 9am-12noon 8-courts (usually you can play till 12:30pm maybe 1pm) Wed 9pm - 10:30pm 4-courts (usually you can play till 10:50pm) Sun 9am-11am 8-courts Sun 8am-10pm 8-courts At Collingwood Neighbourhood House 4-courts 5288 Joyce St. (one block south of Joyce Skytrain station) Wed 8:45pm-10:30pm Thur 7pm-8:30pm ** Sunday 12noon-2:30pm ** (intermediate/advanced) Generally speaking, Bonsor & Collingwood is recreational level, that is, mainly beginners with some intermediate players. The only exception is the Sunday Collingwood session which is geared towards better intermediate & advanced players who like playing with feather shuttles. Maybe I'll see you at one of the above sessions. Cheers!
Hi, Break-My-String, Thank you very much for your detail introduction. I will try my best to attend your session in the coming one or two weeks. But do I need to inform you before I go for the game ? Or do I just go for it according to the schedule?
If you're gonna go to Collingwood on Sundays, it's best if you go there a bit early. I'd say arrive at 11:40am, and you'll definitely be able to get a spot to play. Oh, and to answer your question, you can just show up on whichever Sunday you're free, pay the drop-in fee at the reception, and pay the birdie fee when you see BMS. -Rick
Hi TimTim, Thanks for coming out for today's Collingwood session. I hope you were able to make some new friends along with some competitive games. As you are aware, Collingwood is having an Open House, 6-hour session on April 4th. There are a few spaces left, so if you are interested, please follow the link below. Please note, the deadline for early registration is today. After today it is $13. Cheers! http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13754
Hey TimTim, It's nice to finally meet you! Too bad we didn't get to play together. How're your games? I hope you'll make Sunday at Collingwoods a regular spot. Ming