City bans people under 50 from senior center activities

WARNER ROBINS - The 10 members of the Warner Robins Duplicate Bridge Club who are under the age of 50 will have to find another place to play after being banned from taking part in activities at the Senior Activities Center. <br> <br> That was the ruling Tuesday by city attorney Jim Elliott after the 10 members of the bridge club, which has about 15 others over the age of 50, complained that the city was unfairly excluding them. <br> <br> Elliott said his research indicates the city can legally ban people younger than 50 from participating in programs at the center. <br> <br> ``I don&#39;t think that there is any unlawful discrimination involved,&#39;&#39; Elliott said. <br> <br> Bridge club members, however, disagreed. <br> <br> ``We pay for the use of this building,&#39;&#39; club spokeswoman Dee Walls said. ``We can&#39;t understand why they don&#39;t want us in the building.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Club manager Linda Greene said about 10 people younger than 50 have been excluded by the city policy. She said the club has operated in the building for nine years and has always had members younger than 50. <br> <br> Joyce Hutcherson, the city&#39;s senior citizens services director, said the city changed the age for participation from 55 and older to 50 and over in October. <br> <br> Officials said the age requirement doesn&#39;t ban people younger than 50 from the center, only from participating in programs at the center.

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