HUNTLEY – The bags charter club has found a new place to play, but it isn’t in Sun City.
Since early October, the group has been playing at Faith Community Church off Haligus Road in Huntley. There, they set up their boards every Monday night in the indoor basketball court and invite members to come and play.
The bags charter club uses custom boards built by Club President Gordon Young. (Photo by Mason Souza/Sun Day)
The group’s original charter stated they would play indoors from October to March and outdoors from April to September. The group first played in the atrium room of Prairie Lodge and moved into a room in the Fountain View upon its completion.
This July, the club was told to take their game outside by the Community Association Board on claims they were scuffing floors in the room. The club contested this, saying the actual cause of scratches are several other groups and events that move tables and chairs through the room.
And though their charter stated they should have been playing outdoors since April, the club questioned that part of the charter because they lacked a safe place to play outside.
The club did move to a small gravel road near Eakin Field, but members said the loose gravel presented a hazard of slipping and falling and damaged the bags and boards.
With the incoming fall season, the club was without a place to play in Sun City, as an agreement had not been made with the board.
Wentworth manager Bill Pennock maintains that groups such as the bags club are not to practice games in Fountain View adding that he has not heard any further proposals from the bags club about playing in Sun City.
A club member suggested club president Gordon Young speak with Senior Pastor Bruce Cole, and from there, the agreement was made to allow the club to carry on at the church.
“We’re very grateful that they offered it to us,” Young said.
Though the club is playing again, its conflict with the board has caused some setbacks. After leaving Fountain View, the club held an election and reduced its fees, but still only managed to get about 60 members to sign up again, just under half its peak membership of 138.
Club Secretary Janet Young said having one meeting day as opposed to several during the week has given the club a “whole different concept.” She added that some members find the longer drive to the church a challenge, but the club is working on ways to get members back into the groove.
“It is starting to build up,” she said of attendance.
Another move the club is making to rebuild its base is moving their meeting days to a less busy day. The club will play next Monday, Nov. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m., but will then start playing on Thursdays beginning Nov. 29. The time to play on Thursdays will be from 3:15 to 6:45 p.m.
Both Gordon and Janet say they would return to play in Sun City if an agreement was reached, but for now are thankful to the church and happy with the space they were given.
