Due to the unexpected deflation of the Indoor Tennis Bubble, all Contract Time, Lessons, and Leagues have been suspended until repairs to the structure can be completed. Contract holders and program participants will be notified when the structure is ready to re-open. Information will also be provided in this column as the repairs proceed. The recreation department appreciates your understanding and cooperation during these unusual circumstances.

As an extension of the recreation department's popular elementary school program, they offer an after school program in the St. Paul's Field House for middle school age students. Activities which will be offered include: Floor Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball, and other popular sports and games. This program will be held according to the following schedule:

* Sixth grade boys- Tuesdays 3:30-5:30 p.m.

* Sixth grade girls- Wednesdays 3:30- 5:30 p.m.

* Seventh & eighth grade boys and girls- Wed. & Thurs. 3:30- 5:30 p.m.

These programs began Tuesday, Dec. 12 and will end March 15, 2001.

The recreation department also offers an after school program for high school age students at the St. Paul's Field House on weekday afternoons. The program includes basketball, volleyball, and other popular sports and games. This program will be held according to the following schedule:

* Ninth-12th grade boys and girls- Tues., Wed., Thurs. 3:30- 5:30 p.m.

This program began on Tuesday, Dec. 12 and will end on March 15, 2001.

Bring a smile to your preschooler's face as they complete their own craft project each week during this eight week program, which will be conducted by Grace Chianese. The program will be held at Cluett Hall at the former St. Paul's campus. There will be three 45-minute classes offered each week: Monday at 10:45 a.m., Wednesday at 12:15 p.m., and Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.

Classes will begin the week of Monday, Jan. 8 and registration for these classes is now underway in the recreation office at Village Hall.

The following guidelines have been established for this program:

* There will be a maximum of 15 children per session

* Children must be between 3.5 and 5 years old

* Children must not be in kindergarten

* Children must be toilet trained

* Children must be able to stay in the room alone

The cost of this program will be $32 per child. An additional session will be held in April, and registration for that session will be announced later in the winter. For additional information, please call Grace Chianese at 742-4905.

With the hockey season in full swing, the two rinks at Community Park are open according to the following schedule:

* Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to dark; supervised 3 p.m. to dark

* Saturday, 10 a.m. to dark, supervised

* Sunday, noon to dark, supervised

So that youngsters can enjoy the rinks in a safe fashion, the following safety rules have been established, and will be enforced by attendants on duty and recreation supervisors:

- All skaters must wear the following equipment:

* helmet

* hockey gloves

* elbow pads

*knee/shin pads

Skaters who refuse to comply with these rules will not be permitted to use the rinks. Your cooperation is appreciated.

The recreation department is pleased to announce that once again this winter, a Gym Program for elementary school age youngsters will be conducted weekday afternoons after school. Due to the ongoing construction in both of the elementary schools, this program has been moved to the Saint Paul's Field House. Both Stewart and Stratford children will attend the same sessions.

This program will provide children with an opportunity to participate in floor hockey and basketball leagues, and to play dodgeball, kickball, and participate in other gym activities. Sneakers must be worn for this program, and no registration is necessary. This program will be held beginning on Monday, Dec. 4, and ending on Friday, March 16 in the Saint Paul's Field House, according to the following schedule:

* Boys: Grades 3,4 and 5- Mondays 3:30-6 p.m.

* Girls: Grades 3,4, and 5- Fridays 3:30-6 p.m.

Because the recreation department is unable to access the elementary school gymnasiums, and since the field house is utilized on Saturdays for the GCAA/Recreation Youth Basketball Program, there will be no Saturday morning gym or arts and crafts program this winter. The recreation department is hopeful that they will be able to return this program next year, after the bulk of the school construction is completed.

For additional information about this program, call the recreation department at 465-4075.

The recreation department will again conduct a Men's Basketball Program on Saturday mornings at the middle school boys' gym. This program will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday morning beginning on Dec. 2 and continuing until Saturday March 31.

This program is open competitive play for men 18 and up and teams are formed on a "pick-up" basis. For further information about this program, call the recreation department office at 465-4075.

Although this is the time of year when most folks are busy preparing for the upcoming holiday season, it's not too early to start planning for a summer job with the Garden City Recreation Department.

Challenging, enjoyable positions are available at the Garden City Pool, the village playgrounds, in the summer sports camps, and in the recreation maintenance division.

If you enjoy being outdoors and are willing to make the commitment to being part of a team that works hard to provide quality programs and facilities for Garden City residents, then the recreation department would like to talk to you. They offer competitive salaries, friendly working conditions, opportunity for advancement, and the chance to be part of a very special team.

If you are a high school junior or older and are ready to make a commitment for a great summer job, stop at the recreation office in village hall, pick up an application, and schedule an appointment for an interview.

REMINDER: Even if you were employed by the recreation department last year, including the pool, you are still required to reapply and be interviewed for the upcoming summer.

Interviews will be conducted on the following dates:

* Wednesday, Dec. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Saturday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

No interviews will be conducted without an appointment, and positions will not be offered to applicants who do not interview.

The following Adult Recreation Programs began on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in the St. Paul's Field House. Please note that programs will be held from 8-10 p.m., and are for Inc. Village of Garden City residents only. All participants will be required to register at the St. Paul's facility during the first weeks of the program, and residency will be checked during the season.

* Men's Open Basketball will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings

* Men's Over 30 Basketball will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings

* Men's Over 40 Basketball will be held on Wednesday evenings

* Adult Co-Ed Volleyball will be held on Thursday evenings.

All games in these programs are strictly "pick-up" and range from recreationally to competitively oriented. Residents must be of post-high school age to participate. For additional information, please contact the recreation office at 465-4075.

Through the generous cooperation of Adelphi University, arrangements have again been made to allow village residents use of the indoor swimming pool at Woodruff Hall as part of the recreation department's winter program.

One hour swim sessions are available at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as of Oct. 10 and continuing until May 24, 2001. Residents wishing to take advantage of this program can sign up for a one-hour session by calling the recreation department at 465-4075 before 3 p.m. on the day they wish to swim. Participants will be required to show proof of residency when they arrive at Adelphi, and must also fill out an Adelphi University program registration form, which will be available at the registration desk in Woodruff Hall.

This program will not be held during Adelphi holidays, or other days when the university is closed. For additional information call the recreation department.