Racking up camaraderie

COEUR d'ALENE - The Lake City Center is hitting a bullseye with a pool table and darts in the center's updated game room.

Seven seniors laughed and poked fun at each other as they played pool Tuesday morning.

Rick Currie, the center's administrative director, said it's standard procedure for pool players to be at the center each morning, waiting for the game room to open.

Adrian Mott, 79, of Hayden, spends almost every weekday morning with his friends at the center.

Mott said he has been playing pool there since 1992.

"There's friendship, it's open to all seniors, it's a pleasant atmosphere and is a reasonable price," Mott said.

Pool isn't the only game to play.

"We had a snooker table that wasn't ever being used," Currie said. "So we decided to try a dartboard in its place."

Bill Ramich, 73, of Hayden said he doesn't play darts but he would probably join if a game started.

"It's not about playing a game. It's about the friendship," Ramich said as he waited to take his shot on the table.

Another faithful daily player is Lyle Slagle, 84, of Coeur d'Alene. Slagle said he spent 10 years in Phoenix playing in pool leagues. He said he really enjoys the time he spends at the center, and his wife likes getting him out of the house for a few hours in the morning.

Mott said the game room isn't the only thing that draws him to the center.

"You get a lot of people here that can help you here in many ways," Mott said. "If you need something, they will make a call and help set it up."

Currie said he believes seniors are what made this country great, and this is an opportunity to give back and help them enjoy their time.

"All of our activities are about giving the seniors that additional chance to enjoy themselves," Currie said.

With a wide range of health benefits associated with low-impact sports like pool, seniors have a chance at a healthier, longer life when participating daily.

"We can say this about any of our activities; it gets them out of the house, keeps them active, keeps the mind sharp, keeps those social skills in line and keeps them informed of community events because they are out in the community," Currie said.

Slagle said it must be true because he's 84 and feels like a spring chicken when playing pool.

Currie hopes to get more dart players active in the gameroom. He said the center is also open to other activities and is always looking for input from visitors.

"Just because you're a senior does not mean that it's over," Currie said. "The activity is the draw, but once you're involved, the friendships make it special."

The room is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with larger groups meeting in the mornings and afternoons.

The center doesn't have memberships. The fees are based on each activity and most cost only $1. For more info and a list of activities, visit www.lakecitycenter.org.