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Shuffleboard club urges interim lighting, secure storage and resurfacing after clubhouse demolition
Summary
Members of the Pass‑a‑Grille shuffleboard club told the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee they lost equipment when their historic clubhouse was torn down and asked the city for interim lighting, secure storage and court resurfacing; staff said work orders are in place and resurfacing would likely require FY27 funding.
Members of the Pass‑a‑Grille shuffleboard club told the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee on April 21 that loss of their historic clubhouse has left them without lighting, reliable storage and safe playing surfaces.
"We actually…our clubhouse, that old historic building, was torn down earlier in the year," said John Gustiffson, who identified himself as the club president, describing theft of equipment and ongoing problems with broken benches and rough courts. Club members said the lack of lights means evening players must travel to the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, harming local businesses that relied on weekday play.
Treasurer Diane Halverson said the club has 39 members and limited funds. "There are 39 members of our group currently and we generate about $700 in income from dues and membership and we spent $56 on maintenance," she said, describing how members have paid out of pocket for wax and temporary repairs.
Club leaders asked staff for three near‑term actions: temporary power and switched lighting so sanding and waxing machines can run after dark, a secure on‑site storage solution for equipment, and resurfacing of the courts. A club member said he had been quoted roughly $1,500 per court by a private contractor who services nearby facilities; staff also referenced a prior aggregate quote of about $20,000 to resurface all local courts.
Staff acknowledged the loss, said a temporary plastic cabinet had been provided but would be removed at season end, and reported that public services has a preliminary design and is pursuing bids. "We are moving forward in the process and we do plan on replacing the facility with something out there that would be able to accommodate the shuffle board equipment as well as give a little bit of power so that that they're able to run some of the equipment that they need," a recreation staff member said.
Staff also said public services has created work orders to address immediate bench repairs and will coordinate site visits; the city indicated that full resurfacing would likely need to be budgeted in FY27, with implementation beginning in October if added to that budget cycle.
The committee did not take a formal vote on any capital funding at the meeting; staff advised the club to coordinate a site visit with city staff to demonstrate the minimum storage footprint needed and said they would follow up on bids and timing.
The committee's next steps are for staff to provide status updates on work orders and for the club and staff to coordinate a site visit. The advisory committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.
