Lee County shuffleboard slides into a new era with upgraded facility

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — On Tuesday, the ribbon was cut on a new era for Lee County shuffleboard, and a $2.2 million upgrade players say was worth the wait.

Lee County officially reopened 24 renovated shuffleboard courts in North Fort Myers, after a project that added new shade coverage, resurfaced courts and several other upgrades to the longtime recreation facility.

The biggest change is above the courts.

The project added 18,000 square feet of shade structure over the courts, replacing roughly 6,000 square feet of previous coverage. For the first time, the courts themselves are fully protected.

Karl Richter, president of the Lee County Shuffleboard Club, said the facility is unlike anything he has seen.

“Nobody in the state, and as far as I know, nobody in the country has anything like this,” Richter said.

The project also included new scoreboards, LED lighting, fans, fencing, gates, benches, seating, and a new storage building,

For club members, the upgrade means fewer weather delays and more protection from the Florida sun.

Ray Buck, third vice president of the Lee County Shuffleboard Club, has been playing since 2001. He said the new facility will make a major difference.

“What a pleasure this is going to be to play under the roof,” Buck said. “We won't have to worry about the weather, we hope to really expand shuffleboard by bringing new people in during the course of the season.”

Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman said the project came after years of requests from players who wanted more protection while using the courts.

“They were concerned about playing in the sun and getting skin cancer and concerned about getting rained out at their tournaments,” Hamman said. “And so we came up with a solution. We were blessed to be able to find the money in the budget, and then we brought it forward and completed it for them.”

County leaders say the investment is meant to strengthen recreational amenities, support active lifestyles and enhance one of North Fort Myers’ most longstanding sports.

Richter said the upgraded facility could also put North Fort Myers in position to host bigger shuffleboard events.

“I've been in discussions with the national director to bring national tournaments here,” Richter said. “We're going to work on the Can Am games. I mean, with a facility like this, they can come down in the middle of the summer and play. Whereas before we couldn't, because it was just too darn hot.”

For Buck and other longtime players, the project is more than a renovation.

“What a blessing this is,” Buck said. “It's going be great for shuffleboard.”