agree with blindfury. i think some of you have to manage your expectations to a reasonable level. I can see improvements in the gym at AOBC which proves that voices have been heard. I think the owner is trying to make improvement step by step and of course within his budget. He just started up this business and I don't think anyone can do magic to the gym to meet very high standard unless it's specifically designed/built for badminton. Those who think it's easy to design and build a gym specifically for badminton, please think twice. Its not as easy as you think it would be.
I have no problem with giving it a go. But come on guys, do you really expect to wear a sweater and play, or somehow keep warm between games? This is still Canada, and it is still winter, and the owner is really pushing it if he can't get the heat up. Recepits? I hate to have to tell you what it says of a guy who charges HST and then cannot provide receipts when asked. And asks his customers to allow others to play when the first customer has paid up for that session. Incidentally, it doesn't cost that much more to ensure no cross-currents or decent lighting: just more brain application. Too many inconsistencies in the way things are managed. Or rather, a complete absense of any kind of management. If you run a club like a mom-and-pop joint, you are going to run afoul of your customers. I would rather pay a couple of loonies more and play in a place where the management is good; the rules are in place and followed and enforced by the management; the facilities are up to expectations; there is no ambiguity about the times, court allocations, interpretations of heat and light. Where the value of my money is fully respected; because I work for that money. And I like to play in a place where I don't constantly have to worry about getting ripped off any time now. Oh well. Enough grousing. It's a new year, and I wish the owner a qualified success.
ohhh, they painted the back wall, it's much better now no more blinding white wall with BRIGHT white florescent lights next thing they should work on is definitely finding a way to dim the overhead lights I know the owner fixed the lights so that not all of them are turned on at the same time but it would be a great help if there was some shielding over the lights so it isn't blindingly bright but still bright enough to illuminate the courts and yes, the owner is slowly making improvements (new blinds on the windows to cover the gaps between the curtains, painted walls, the only ones i've noticed though) let's hope as they establish a core following and slowly accumulate funds, they'll work to address some of the bigger issues (namely climate control)... remember, this is an expensive problem to tackle so don't expect anything immediately!
I agree with everything that's been said above both negative and positive. There's been enough bickering, bitching and complaining. It all comes down to one simple thing. If you want a good facility, we all know where you can find it and go there. There is certainly no harm in trying agincourt as the money is definitely on the cheaper side. Since I've started playing there, and I drive all the way from London for it, David has made quite a few improvements. The separator for courts 1-3 and 4-9 is very helpful. The only thing he could do a bit better is lay down an additional layer of flooring. Something more than just concrete, but as we've said everything cost $$$$. I certainly wish him luck and will most certainly be back again. That is until I am done school, then it's Mandarin or Lee's membership time!!!
I do not know why people who prefer the cheap tell other people who prefer quality stop bitching. We are not bitching. And just like you, we are pointing out what we like and what we do not. So stop bitching about that. I recommend Flying Dragon. Facility is good and people are friendly. They have a daytime membership which costs 99 dollars for 3 months. It is good for me since my schedule is flexible.
my partner and i are going to play on thursday at agincourt open 3-6 pm who's interested in some intermediate mens double and single? we use feather (preferred, and byo) and plastic
Just wondering how the drop-in thing works: I play w/ the TCSSC currently but don't actually have anyone to play with on a regular basis... if I show up on a random weekday night to "drop in", is it easy to find folks to play with? Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Yes, just drop in and you will have somebody to play with. Very deserted now, and the players who usually come in are terrible.
If you show up on Monday January 23 after 8pm ask the front desk for somebody good to rally with you I am sure you will not be disappointed. By the way we only play feather the good ones.
Friends and I have been at Agincourt Open for about... 8 months now. In the beginning I had a huge gripe about David too. He seemed really rude, scolded us whenever we were slightly late and seemed to be way too trigger happy with escorting us off the courts whenever possible. I didn't like him at all. But we continued to go, got to know him and Char quite well and experiences have been pretty good now. The lights are covered, they installed less aggressive lighting to the sides of the courts without increasing the fees. Char joins us for games once in awhile, has a great personality and loves to joke with the players. We usually book a court on busy days, but on weekdays we go in the morning (it's 3 - 4 dollars for 3 hours!!!) I don't really have much complaints about the place anymore. We're being treated really well now (probably cause we've been there for so long... 3 times a week for months is a lotta money spent =p) It's pretty neat =)
For anyone who comes here to play know...its POORLY MANAGED everyone has to agree...don't tell me you don't..if you don't then you don't play here often enough. David is just WORRIED about how much money he can rip off of ppl who come in instead of looking after them. Even he own staff said so too, for those who have never been don't worry the first time you go you will be treated properly then it goes down hill from there. I also have proof he is fully of lies. Check out his website. "During member sessions, we will allocated at least 2 to 4 courts for members and drop-in players" *Bullshyt*....I did a cut & paste of exact words from his website...."If you can't do what you say, how good are you as a person". Anyways good luck to you all who still play here. Oh yah and if anyone plans to post something after this to attack my post don't bother to help cover for David but once people go there you realize my statement is correct.
Flying Dragon has bad lighting, and like agincourt, they don't issue receipts if you pay cash even though they charge you HST. If you pay credit or debit though, you will get a receipt. I do play there though once every couple/few weeks though.
i started playing here about 3 weeks ago. i play about 2-3 times a week, i have no problems with the place. dudes that run it seem pretty cool. i do drop ins when i'm by myself and book courts when i come in with friends, they have never kicked us off early. i don't think they over book the place anymore like i read in some of the earlier reviews, cause sometimes i ask for a time and he would tell me they are full and to come in at a different time. from what i notice i think they use the front 3 courts for drop ins and the courts in the back seem like they are used for rentals. i have never played at some of the other places that peeps have mentioned and have only played in school gyms prior to this place so i have nothing really to compare it to. i enjoy playing here and think the prices are fair
I agree with HCP13. I've been playing there for a few months here 2-3 times a week. I usually play drop in as well and I sometimes drop in by myself but sometimes dropins gets really busy and I don't really get to play much. Usually ppl are paired up or they already have a group of 4 to play for every rotation. So I AM looking for an intermediate player to play with....usually on Wednesday, Friday night, and Sunday. Anybody interested can message me. This place sometimes reserve only 2 courts for drop in....sometimes 3. I guess it's hard to determine how busy drop in gets before they take reservations for rental. Sorry I can't compare to anywhere else. This place is the closest to where I reside and I find it clean and organized. I also read about Passmore....but I may not go there yet cuz they haven't finished renovating it.
