Brand-New Bocce Courts Are a Hit with Players

To say that the residents of Siena Lakes, an Erickson Senior Living community in Naples, Fla., enjoy bocce is an understatement.

"Bocce is big in Florida, especially at Siena Lakes!" says Kathy Shields, one of the bocce group's organizers. "People enjoy getting out on the courts. Both beginners and more experienced players get some exercise and fresh air."

"People have so much fun playing," adds Thomas Cook, another group organizer and volunteer instructor.

"Bocce is just one of the many activities residents enjoy participating in," says Resident Life Director Matt Verborn. "They also play pickleball, work out in the fitness center, swim or do water aerobics in the outdoor pool, take walks around campus, and even practice their swing on the outdoor putting green."

He adds, "There's so much for people to do! Siena Lakes makes it easy for residents to stay active and engaged."

Something for everyone

The bocce group has four elements--open play, clinics, fall league, and winter league. Throughout the year, open play is held twice a week.

"The open play events on Monday and Thursday are low-pressure," says Thomas.

Kathy adds, "Beginners especially appreciate that as they are starting out."

On the first Tuesday of each month, the bocce group holds clinics--one for beginners and one for more advanced players. With advanced players, the instructor may suggest improvements to their techniques.

"We're getting a favorable response to it, and people say they're learning a lot," notes Thomas.

Friendly competition

Last year's fall league ran for six weeks, starting in mid-October and ending just before Thanksgiving.

Once interested residents signed up, Thomas and Kathy assembled teams (based on skill level to ensure that games were evenly matched), assigned team captains, and determined which teams would start.

"Players get to meet people they don't normally play with in the winter league," says Kathy.

In the winter league, which begins in January and runs through mid-March, residents assemble their own teams, with up to six members on each. The teams are then split into two divisions--one plays on Thursdays and the other on Fridays.

The best team of each division goes to the playoffs, and the overall winner is the team that wins two out of three playoff games.

Celebrating players

The winning team of the winter league is awarded a trophy at the annual banquet, which includes dinner and door prizes.

As part of the evening, short videos and photos of players captured throughout the season are projected on a screen.

"The catering department plans a full-course menu of delicious foods specially prepared by our on-site chefs," says Verborn. "Last year, 130 players and significant others attended. It's a big deal."

Thomas agrees, saying, "It's an event that people look forward to. We also recognize the winners of the fall league."

New courts

Given the sport's popularity, the community recently invested in new bocce courts.

"Residents suggested improvements based on what local country clubs were featuring," says Verborn, noting that he and Senior Facility Manager Jim Keith joined a resident to visit a number of different country clubs for research.

Now, the courts feature Brazilian hardwood, best suited for Florida's weather conditions; a premier-certified synthetic turf surface; safety handrails; and new umbrellas to provide shade for the referees.

"We implemented lots of resident suggestions, which set a new standard," notes Verborn. In the future, new bocce courts added to any Florida-based Erickson Senior Living community will be built this way.

Support from staff

Kathy and Thomas appreciate that their input was an integral part of the renovation process.

"We love that [management] not only listen to us here, but they take action," says Kathy. "We have exactly what we wanted."

"They also installed a new outdoor drinking fountain," says Thomas, helping residents stay hydrated during games in the Florida heat. "We get all the equipment and support we need!"

"We want to make sure that everyone's happy and living a vibrant lifestyle," says Verborn.

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Michele Wojciechowski