That's really nice and I'd say that the card swipe queuing system is a first in all of California. Hopefully it doesn't turn into an issue where people are losing their cards. I only say this because I'm a very forgetful person. I'd probably swipe, sign in, and just forget my card on the counter next to the computer.
Panda drove 30+ miles, got to LABC and low and behold, all the lights were out and no one was there. Anyone know when LABC is "truly" going to be open?
^^You can try again..^^ ..in a couple of weeks (that's what the owner and the personnel told me when they'll have the Yonex floor mats and poles/nettings up).. In the meantime, here's a very brief video of the facility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxBjxWnePDs Btw, this is the club's "official" website (maybe the mods can add this link??). All information should be updated there. And there are more photos in there as well: http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Monte-CA/Los-Angeles-Badminton-Club-LABC/265747717668?v=wall
Come play at LABC on Friday 2/19/2010 and Saturday 2/20/2010 (6:00pm to 2:00am). For only $5 entry fee, you can try out the state of the art new facility. And—Members play for free! Don’t miss your opportunity to be the first to play at LABC! (Members: please note that this is... not the grand opening date; your membership will not be activated until the LABC officially opens.) all 15 courts can be played on! and if you missed last weekends membership sign up event! you can still sign up on the day of this event! so come out bring your friends along and come play your favorite sport!!! make sure to sign up fast! or else the prices will go up!
The Yonex mats are up...and it's officially open.. ..well, not quite, yet. Apparently the "official" opening date will be the 1st day of March (Monday), in a couple more weeks; but they might open it over the weekend. They still haven't finished installing the queueing system next to the courts and the computerized ID check-in system @ the front desk. I chatted with one of the personnel, and found out all 17 court mats were installed in a bit more than 12 hrs. They (1 guy and 3 gals) started around 1 pm, Thursday afternoon. And by the time they finished everything, it was around 2 am, Friday morning. Just in time before the Friday Open Play session. As for the court mats themselves, i asked a couple or so people for their opinions and they all approved of it. It's all zippered, even the joint portions connecting the courts. Just that, the surface has a rough/more grit finish (maybe cos it's brand new). So if one happens to fall or scrape off the floor, then one could feel the burn. There is no extra padding underneath the floor mats. And i believe, this is the 2nd full time club to use the Yonex brand for all of the courts (the other club is up north @ BBC). As for the actual Open Play sessions, i heard there were around 350 people who came on Friday (see pics below). The Saturday session wasn't as crowded. As for the seating, it should be interesting to see how the public seating/benches will be layed out once the pulldown/stadium bleacher seatings are installed. For now, players will have to just sit on the floor next to the walls. The spaces in between the courts are just enough and there won't be any seating around the courts. From what i noticed, there isn't much space between the back of the courts and the walls, perhaps just enough space once they install the pulldown/stadium bleacher seatings. Anyway, got one more updated video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrLfFXvnRWQ and some updated pictures to share (last 4 pics courtesy of LABC facebook page):
Wow, the gym looks great, thx for the shots Chris. Also, small correction, Bay Badminton Center does not have pvc mats. I believe the gyms that do have the mats are Affinity which uses Victor mats and also Bintang Sunnyvale and Bintang Campbell. I understand its confusing seeing how we have so many gyms up here now Ill surely come down to check this place out and sgvII whenever they host their first tournaments
That's right.. ..thanks for rectifying. That's right, Bintang clubs are the only ones in NorCal which have the Yonex mats. Sorry, made a typo error above also. I mentioned "...and found out all 17 court mats were installed in a bit more than 12 hrs." Should've written only 15 courts. Don't want to make an impression there are 2 hidden baddy courts.
12 hrs to install 17 mats .... amazing .... maybe those gals can teach the cpbadminton.com guys how to do it next time. maybe you can post more videos next time .... i think the youtube video (compared to the pictures) is better in showing off the new gym. btw, who will be the coach for the new club?? ...... i'll stop by soon and hopefully play with some of you guys.
^^It would really be amazing..^^ ..if they were able to do 17 courts in 12-13 hrs.. Actually, LABC only has 15 courts; i made a typo above. As for who will be the "in house" coach/coaches, i asked one of the personnel and they told me they don't have one yet. I know the mgt. has approached a few local coaches to help out.
Is it really crowded there on weekends? Hopefully the queueing system is fully installed by now, and that'll help.
..i was there this past weekend (Sunday afternoon) and there weren't many people. Probably only abt 5 courts were used. I was told the total membership is around 200 people. As for the queueing system, i was told they're already installed. But they're also planning to install/mount large LCD TVs (about 4 of them) on the wall to show who's on queue. They've finally put some small wooden benches next to the walls.
..you can check out their official website for additional infos on membership fees: http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Monte-CA/Los-Angeles-Badminton-Club-LABC/265747717668?v=wall
Well, there are still some people were doubtful to sign-up as members to this facility. I do not blame you, because everyone has different perceptions and opinion of services and amenities. Let me say something, which it may open your views of what to expect in this new place: 1. LABC is doing all the best it could to provide the most pleasant atmosphere to the members. It is clean, tidy, bright and new. You will feel welcome once you walk-in and able to speak to any staff members, because they are pretty much like us, badminton fans and enthusiasts. 2. Fees - Like others, I am also concern to spend my hard earned money on leisure and pleasure. Yet, I compare what I am currently spending on this facility to my previous gym (I will not mention the name or price, since you may determine the price and link it to the gym). What the worst was I paid for 12 months membership, but I only could pay for 8 months. There were at least 2 months in a year of that gym to either too hot (above 105F) or too cold (42F). So, when I calculated the price average, I realized if actually I paid more in there. 3. Convenience - I am not sure to most of you. I am usually hungry upon completing my matches. Currently, I may have to walk across a street to find some ethnics foods or just Mc Donalds in a corner. Within the next few months, there will be fast foods or cafe in the same lot. 4. Designed to Served - Unlike other facilities, they just converted a building to become badminton gyms. It took 7 years for LABC to complete this project and the fundamental of safety to players were executed in the highest extends by the designed team: Suspension maple-wood floor, grip- Yonex mats, humidity control (AC/ Heater), plus nice bathrooms/ shower rooms. Well, I do not get paid or working for LABC. I am giving you some points of my experiences after a few weeks as a member in LABC. The pleasure of playing the game is not measured by how much you pay. It is a satisfaction which you cannot describe by the value of currency. My hope is we will see more and more facilities to compete in amenities, instead of prices. Therefore, we will get what we pay for and not be forced to sign up because we do not have options or choices.
- I hope they continue to keep the same quality and excellence. Badminton business is not easy. But with the amount of money & energy invested in this facility, hopefully LABC continues its success. - I concur. Well, i'm sure everyone would be hungry after playing so many matches. I doubt anyone wouldn't be. As for having a cafe in the same complex, it'll be the 2nd FT baddy club in SoCal to have such amenities (the other is OCBC). Whatever businesses (cafe/foodcourt/fast foods) occupy the front spaces of the building, they'll definitely improve LABC's appeal.
I was just looking at the tournament info and went to the website which i realize hasn't been updated in forever. Most of the info still seems accurate except the telescoping bleacher seating...are these done away with or are they still a possibility?
