The Orange City Historic Preservation Board is making a new push to save one of the town’s recreational facilities.

HPB Member and former Chair Tom Eidel said he and the panel are working to prevent the loss of the shuffleboard clubhouse and courts along North Holly Avenue. Some city officials favor demolishing the building and shaded structures and taking up the paved play lanes to make way for a parking lot behind the Orange City Town Hall. 

Although the City Council last fall turned to the board to condemn the property and issue a demolition permit for the aging facilities, the board refused to go along. The shuffleboard complex has been closed for more than three years because of possible dangerous conditions. Eidel disputes such conclusions, however.

“It’s already deemed unsafe because of the possibilities of lead paint. There is not any,” Eidel told The Beacon. “The inside is natural wood, and there is 1960s paneling. There is no paint to be lead. Most of the peeling paint is latex.”

“The A/C units do not meet current code, so it’s a matter of taking the units out and replacing them with new window units. There is no central air [conditioning],” Eidel said. “They [consultants and critics] said the building was compromised because of water intrusion. There are indoor leaks.”

Eidel said the board will discuss with the Orange City Council the status and future of the shuffleboard center at the council’s Feb. 27 meeting.

The shuffleboard facilities were built in 1944. Part of the clubhouse served at one time as Orange City’s Town Hall. The shuffleboard court also hosted state tournaments in years gone by, Eidel said.

Since word of the possible demise of the Orange City shuffleboard property has spread, Eidel said he has received calls of support from shuffleboard clubs from around Florida.