there are only 3 words in the English language that start with the letters "EL".
Maple Leaf Billiard Club.
Letter to 2007 Board of Director Members.
The Maple Leaf Billiard Club has existed since the official opening of Maple Leaf Estates in 1976. Initially the Club had one snooker table and a smaller pool table. In 1981, the Club acquired two more tables. The two billiard tables were moved to the new Queensway and the two pool tables were located in the Can-Am building. During the 2004 planning season, the Corporation identified the need to consolidate and expand the billiard Club facility. Plans were drawn up to move all of the equipment to the Queensway. In addition the south annex of the Queensway was to be reconfigured to solely house the Billiards Club with up to 6 tables. These plans were nullified when the Queensway was damaged by hurricane Charlie.
The Billiard Club Executive was also a victim of Charlie. A number of presiding officers did not return, and those who were present were occupied with the task of rebuilding their homes. During this period, three members (Bill Hollingsworth, Victor Mizzi and Jack Assunto) assisted the Corporation with drawings and advice on the Club needs. Given the constraints brought about by Charlie, the Club agreed to a plan that maintained its 1981 configuration of two billiard tables and two pool tables. This plan seemed to be moving forward until space restrictions became a problem, when the Channel 9 facility could not economically be relocated. The 2006 Board of directors decided that the Club could have only three tables (two billiard and one pool) in the existing Club space, and the space vacated by the communications Club. This was not a satisfactory solution for the Club, as three tables limit any ability to hold in-Club competitions for billiards, snooker and eight ball tournaments. Three tables would also not satisfy a realistic membership of one hundred residents.
During discussions the Club expressed the need to have the use of the space occupied by the library, if the Channel 9 situation reduced the ability to have four tables. A major drawback in switching the library space instead of the communication space was that the wall between the library and billiard club is a load bearing wall, which cannot be removed. Subsequent, to the Club request to acquire both spaces, it learned that the Board had already discussed other space uses for the library. Those mentioned were for a poker and meeting room. Such use would be totally unacceptable to Club members. As an originating Club, any available space (at the very least) should be used to restore the Club to its original four tables. This would be in keeping with previous Board actions for all other existing Clubs affected by the hurricane, which were improved and restored to the satisfaction of their members. New space use proposals for the library area should not be considered, if it circumvents The Boards’ ability to restore the billiard club to its original status quo.
We hope that each Board member, will assess our position and agree that the proper allocation of library space is for the location of the billiard club’s fourth table.