The murmur of hushed voices ascended from the stands responded to the echoes of the announcement. These were voices of question and uncertainty.  Indeed, currently the BTTC enjoys play in two full size gyms with 12 tables in each facility and all the freedom associated with playing in areas that closely approximate large tournament playing conditions. What will the new club look like? Will there be enough space? Will play discontinue at the old locations? Will there be enough financial resources to maintain the new facility and will there be a financial  impact? So, to answer all of these questions, boutbox asked Carlos Zeller, Operations Manager, to sit down with us, have a chat, and of course, we brought along our video gear.

cz: Any time, any time at all. It's a pleasure.

bb: What strives an individual like you to commit so much of your time and effort into a venture of this sort? Obviously, you're putting in an enormous effort in time and financial resources.

cz: It's the future. The future of our sport. The future generations of players. The children. I get an enormous benefit from playing, and I want others and future generation of kids and adults to get the same benefits.

bb: Excellent. Many say that TT is an international sport, and is really not appreciated in the US, is this your opinion also? Because if it is, is this one of the reasons why you're doing this?

cz: I was born in Argentina, and I have a slightly different perspective. I don't think it's a US thing or not. I know that if you put a table anyplace, people will immediate gravitate to it and play. TT is the best game to keep in physical condition and is very good for the brain.

bb: Yes, yes. Of course you're probably referring to the recent studies conducted by American physicians and the Japanese medical studies, which emphasize that spin and the brain being able to predict and interpret spin and rapid motion is very a very good agent against aging of the brain. Besides, technically, it is the number one participation sport in the world, just considering the number of registered players in China, and it is by far the fastest game in the world.

cz: I did not know that..... Really.... Kidding.

bb: Ok, then. Let's move on. Tell us what are going to be the main differences with this new facility?

cz: Well, first of all, the facility will be open 7 days a week with extended hours of operation, so you'll be able to play anytime you want to. We will have a permanent home, a permanent setup. We will be comfortable. We will have all sorts of programs available. Like coaching for example. We will invite players and coaches from all over the world, to come and visit us, and give us coaching, and different international perspectives on the game. We will have two robot tables permanently setup for anyone that wants to use them. We will have showering facilities, weight room, lunch room, and of course a great playing area.

bb: That's great. What about the financial considerations? My question is two fold, do you think you'll be able to sustain this facility and second, what about the financial impact on current members?

cz: I believe we can sustain this club. If I didn't I wouldn't do it. We have a number of financial contributors that are helping us. The costs of playing in our current facilities are going up anyway. And we are at the whim of the cities. They can cancel our ability to play at any time. We are in control here. And there will not be much of a big difference between what a member is paying now. 

bb: Yes, yes, I recall a while ago, I walked into a local club, and asked how much to play, and they said $2. I was very surprised. You charge $5 per day is that correct?

cz: $5 per session or $150 per year.

bb: Yes, yes, that is amazing. In today's economy, never mind this recent gas crunch, when you spend $10 to see a movie, and around $100 to take your family out to dinner, this seems really, "reasonable", or actually kind of low, no?

cz: We're non-profit. We're only out to cover expenses. That's all. I am thinking of cutting expenses in the new place, and not give you a ball. Bring your own balls. This will cut down some expenses.

bb: OK, so will you give us a tour?

cz: My pleasure.

bb: Let's go in, and see what we're dealing here with and if there's enough light for the camera?

cz: Let's go.
 

bb: Excellent. So what kind of floor are you putting on?

cz: We're putting wood laminate. It's the stuff that has a male and female edge that fits together. It'll be good. I am also wrapping a couple of rolls of carpet around the two poles.

bb: Carlos Zeller, thank you for talking to us. It looks like it's going to be a great facility. Mazel Tov. It looks like it will rival Chicago and Barak Obama and what he did with Killer Spin (Obama worked as an attorney for Killer Spin for approximately two years, and raised capitol in order to make Chicago the Table Tennis capital of the United States of America).

For comments, questions, or if you would like to register to receive notices of new articles posted, drop an email to: webmaster@boutbox.com.