Recreation Centers
 

For several years I have taken Bridge lessons in the Recreation Centers. There is a small fee to cover the cost of materials. The class has been informed by the instructor that the permit to use the rec. center room has been cancelled immediately. This seems to be due to the fact that money was involved.
I pay my 190. Per month amenity fee and it is my choice to pay a small amount for supplies for this class.
I would like to know if other groups/classes have been cancelled by the Recreation Department.
The Enrichment Academy offers one bridge class at a significantly higher fee. Is it fair to think that some of that money goes to The Villages?
I am very disturbed by this situation and would like to hear from other Villagers.

Sorry, but I don't agree. Private instructors are not allowed to charge money for lessons. And yes, other instructors have been shut down for charging money. This includes tennis instructors, golf instructors, billiards instructors, trivia organizers, and others. If the fee is just for materials, why can't the students bring their own materials? Or why can't the class be taught through the Enrichment Academy, which is authorized? The rec centers are for use by all Villagers, not just those who pay for a class. Personally, I like the rule.

From my VERY limited experience, the Recreation Centers do a great job at facilitating any type of activity, which includes providing multiple Mexican Train dominos and Mahjongg sets. What materials are actually required for a hand of bridge? A deck or decks of cards and some paper on which to keep score and a writing instrument to mark the score. The Recreation Centers do not provide the mahjongg Card of Hands that change annually; players are expected to procure these on their own. Bridge players could each bring a deck of cards. Even a good deck doesn’t last forever.

What kind of materials are consumed while teaching Bridge? A deck of cards costs about $1 and will last more than one session. Perhaps a jar could be put out for donations rather than requiring a payment to attend.

I have heard (rumor, not experience, don't know if it's true but have my suspicions) of instructors for other games only providing training to those that have pre-purchased the "official" rules or pre-paid for attendance. All done outside the rec center and prior to arrival so they can claim that no money changing hands. IF THIS IS TRUE I hope these "training sessions" are shut down too.

Tried and failed. Taking money in exchange for a service is not allowed.

Using a free room in one the rec centers to make money is not allowed. The Villages activities exist because of the many volunteers that make them possible. Let's make sure it stays that way. It is a good practice.

I have seen it work but I don't know the specific details.

Asking everyone to bring a set of cards would work too. Everyone contributes to the materials.

The "volunteers" who form these classes are simply not allowed to do them as a money maker. I can't know precisely what happened but that is the bottom line. I agree with it. I really do.

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Materials could be, and very likely are, copied instructional materials. I don't see the problem if the instructor is reimbursed for providing them.

My wife ran a club for nearly 10 years and had a nominal annual fee to cover expenses. That is fine but you can’t be making a profit. We belong to some other clubs that also charge a nominal annual fee.

Some clubs cover expenses by running a voluntary 50/50 raffle.

There were "moneyball" pickleball groups that were told to stop charging money for players to attend.
A Canadian club charges $5 per year. Even if it's a minimal fee, it seems wrong. Not sure how they get away with it. I shouldn't have to pay anything to attend pickleball on TV courts.

I have often seen instructors ask the recreation center employee to make copies of materials. The rec center does this for free.

There are clubs that charge an annual membership fee and meet at Rec Centers. Perhaps the Bridge Club should follow that model. IMO, if it's a relatively de minimis fee, TV should give it a pass. For example, if the club provides coffee, donuts, materials used in lessons at cost, then that should not trip any red flags.