Group Seeks City Support For Shuffleboard Courts
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
First, it was skateboarding for the youth, now it's shuffleboard for the more mature crowd.
A group of older men - some of whom caught the shuffleboard craze when vacationing in Florida - are asking the city of Warsaw to establish an indoor shuffleboard court at the old fireman's building at Pike Lake.
The men, led by Charles Huffer, presented their plans to city council Monday night. They are asking that the fireman's building - which was turned over to the city a year ago last spring - be slightly renovated.
To accommodate five shuffleboard courts, the building would need to be extended about 12 feet, Huffer said.
Like many of the youth in the community, some of the men said there was a lack of activities for their crowd.
The city is near completion of a skate park in Boggs Industrial Park, and the inevitable comparison quickly surfaced.
"What? You're not into skateboarding?" Mayor Jeff Plank asked sarcastically with a smile.
Huffer and others predicted the shuffleboard courts would quickly become popular with older residents.
Huffer said they would like an indoor court so the sport could be enjoyed year-round. The court would require very little maintenance.
Plank questioned whether the basketball courts at the Pete Thorn Center couldn't be used, but some believe that facility is too busy already.
He suggested councilman Jerry Patterson - the same guy who represents skateboarders' interests - look into the shuffleboard proposal.
Huffer said he left the meeting feeling as if some progress had been made. "It's something we really need," he said.
Funding the renovations wouldn't cost much, and might be covered with some type of grant, Huffer said.
"Some of us fellas could do some of the work," he said.
Since acquiring the building, the parks department has occasionally rented it out for groups and used it for park-oriented classes.
It rents for $75 a night, can hold up to 100 people and is considered a second choice for activities when the Center Lake Pavilion is not available, said park activities director Denise Beno.
In other matters, council:
• Learned that an agreement between Jake Menzie and the city had been reached, allowing the city to lease a downtown parking lot for one year. The agreement calls for the city to lease it for $500 a month. The city will in turn lease the 32 spaces for $15 a month to individuals.
• Learned that a contract was reached with Cole and Associates to revise the city's master zoning, traffic and land use plans.
• Received copies of a noise ordinance used in Fort Wayne. Plank said he would like council to consider establishing an ordinance for Warsaw. [[In-content Ad]]
First, it was skateboarding for the youth, now it's shuffleboard for the more mature crowd.
A group of older men - some of whom caught the shuffleboard craze when vacationing in Florida - are asking the city of Warsaw to establish an indoor shuffleboard court at the old fireman's building at Pike Lake.
The men, led by Charles Huffer, presented their plans to city council Monday night. They are asking that the fireman's building - which was turned over to the city a year ago last spring - be slightly renovated.
To accommodate five shuffleboard courts, the building would need to be extended about 12 feet, Huffer said.
Like many of the youth in the community, some of the men said there was a lack of activities for their crowd.
The city is near completion of a skate park in Boggs Industrial Park, and the inevitable comparison quickly surfaced.
"What? You're not into skateboarding?" Mayor Jeff Plank asked sarcastically with a smile.
Huffer and others predicted the shuffleboard courts would quickly become popular with older residents.
Huffer said they would like an indoor court so the sport could be enjoyed year-round. The court would require very little maintenance.
Plank questioned whether the basketball courts at the Pete Thorn Center couldn't be used, but some believe that facility is too busy already.
He suggested councilman Jerry Patterson - the same guy who represents skateboarders' interests - look into the shuffleboard proposal.
Huffer said he left the meeting feeling as if some progress had been made. "It's something we really need," he said.
Funding the renovations wouldn't cost much, and might be covered with some type of grant, Huffer said.
"Some of us fellas could do some of the work," he said.
Since acquiring the building, the parks department has occasionally rented it out for groups and used it for park-oriented classes.
It rents for $75 a night, can hold up to 100 people and is considered a second choice for activities when the Center Lake Pavilion is not available, said park activities director Denise Beno.
In other matters, council:
• Learned that an agreement between Jake Menzie and the city had been reached, allowing the city to lease a downtown parking lot for one year. The agreement calls for the city to lease it for $500 a month. The city will in turn lease the 32 spaces for $15 a month to individuals.
• Learned that a contract was reached with Cole and Associates to revise the city's master zoning, traffic and land use plans.
• Received copies of a noise ordinance used in Fort Wayne. Plank said he would like council to consider establishing an ordinance for Warsaw. [[In-content Ad]]