02/07/2026
From Glenn Rehagen.
I am sending you this message as my last official act as Board President of the St. Louis Bridge Center. My 3-year term in this role recently concluded, but I will remain on the Board as a Member. I am pleased to announce that Ann Lemp is now the President of the Center. Most of you know Ann and know her many accomplishments. She is a former Board member who served as President from 2015 to 2018, and was the primary person leading the transition from the Center’s old building to our current space. For many years, she has led the Committee recruiting and hosting the Bridge experts who have conducted educational seminars for our members. Ann is consistently admired, respected and liked by the membership.
2025: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
The year started with ACBL announcing the list of the busiest Bridge clubs in North America (based on table counts), and the St. Louis Bridge Center ranked 10th, with over 4,900 tables in 2024. This represented an increase of 170 tables over the previous year.
Game fees were increased $2.00 per game, to alleviate future rising costs and likely reduced membership. This was the first increase in game fees since 2017 and kept us in line with similarly sized Bridge Clubs in the Midwest. A portion of the increase is being shared with the Directors in the form of a salary increase.
Unit 143 has continued to use our space for their sectional tournaments, which has been mutually beneficial for them and the Center. We expect this partnership to continue for the foreseeable future.
Senior Olympics, the Longest Day efforts to support the Alzheimer’s Association and the Robert Todd Seminar were all great successes. The Center raised over $91,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association, which ranked us second in the nation among all Bridge Clubs. We were the subject of many favorable media stories as a result.
A generous donation made my a member allowed us to make needed physical improvement to the Center: replacement of deficient lights, card tables, all bidding boxes, game boards, and playing cards.
We gathered to honor and show gratitude to Beth, who celebrated 45 years as a game director. Beth is both the face and the heart of the Bridge Center, and we wouldn’t be in the position we are without her.
Beginning Bridge II is a new educational course that was developed and presented, attracting over twenty players who desired a follow-up to the Beginning Bridge course that is regularly held. Due to the success of this course, it is expected that it will again be offered this spring.
St. Louis is hosting the Spring NABC tournament starting February 26. Many of our members are playing significant roles and/or volunteering which will contribute to the tournament’s success.
OUR FINANCIAL POSITION
Our financial condition continues to be quite good, but future circumstances may dampen our position. Year-end financials are currently being prepared by our Accountant, and it is estimated that our reserves (Cash, CD’s & Stock) increased by approximately $20,000 during 2025. The primary driver of this increase is the enhanced revenue resulting from the increase in game fees, which netted the Center an additional $29,000. Therefore, absent the increase in game fees, we would have operated at a deficit in 2025.
Another contributing factor to the increase is the amount of generous donations made by members (many as gifts of stocks). Additionally, interest rates continue to be favorable and the return on investment on stocks was high (equities now comprise 17% of our portfolio).
Though our financial position is solid, we face challenges going forward, most notably a significant rent increase that is scheduled for August 31 of this year. Though we have successfully renegotiated favorable terms of the lease for the last four years, which allowed us to survive the challenges of COVID, our rent will increase this year. Additionally, though table counts have been stable in the years following COVID, membership numbers, as well as table counts, will likely decrease in the future. We will continue to rely heavily on individual donations made by our members.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It has been an honor to be the President of the Bridge Center for the past three years. I am proud to be a part of and to contribute to the success of such a wonderful organization.
Playing Duplicate Bridge is a magnificent activity. It sharpens critical thinking and memory and provides mental stimulation that keeps the mind active and engaged. Beyond the game itself, belonging to a Bridge Club fosters a strong sense of community, through regular social interaction, partnership, friendship, and friendly competition. For many of us, participation can be life changing.
My sincere thanks to all of you: players who keep our Center thriving, Directors who are indispensable, educators who encourage new membership (39 new Members joined the Center in 2025), generous donors, and volunteers who help in many ways. A special thank you to our Office Manager, Linda Currier, who keeps things running smoothly and has been the most valuable resource to the Board and myself.
I look forward to seeing you at the Bridge tables in the future. If you have any comments or suggestions, please reach out to a Board Member, the Directors or Linda Currier.
Respectfully, Glenn Rehagen
2026 Board of Directors
Ann Lemp, President
Julie Ertmann
Estella Lau
Glenn Rehagen
Darlene Trenholm
Bill Canfield, Advisor
