T-R PHOTO BY CHUCK FRIEND
Larry Forbes (left) of Le Grand sends a shot down a shuffleboard court in a game against Jim Thrasher of Pleasant Hill while Jim’s wife Connie looks on. This is the third week of play on the new rollout courts at the Marshalltown Senior Center in the Fisher Community Center.

Many things were lost as a result of last year’s tornado and for the members of the Marshalltown Senior Citizens Center it included the loss of one of only two indoor shuffleboard courts in Iowa.

Senior Citizen Center Director April Long said when she took over in January, one of the first requests was to look into how to bring shuffleboard back. And due to space restraints and a temporary location for the center, that too presented a problem.

However, Roger Schroeder, a shuffleboard enthusiast and coordinator for the senior citizens shuffleboard group in Marshalltown, began looking into the possibility of obtaining mini rollout courts. In late July, the group began playing again on two smaller size courts at their location in the Fisher Community Center.

“The new rollout courts are 29 feet long while regular size courts (including the old indoor polished concrete court that was at the former State Street location) are 35 feet,” Schroeder said.

Long said that shuffleboard sessions are now played on Mondays from 12:30-3 p.m. Schroeder said he would be available for game lessons on Monday’s mornings from 10 a.m. until noon for anyone 55 years-old and over.

“Shuffleboard is a strategic game if it is played right,” Schroeder said. “But it is fun, and requires no special skill set to learn. All equipment is furnished. We would like to see more people learn the game and having fun. It is not just an old-peoples game, anyone over 55 is welcome to join.”

Currently the group has eight -12 regular players from Marshalltown and area as well as a Pleasant Hill couple.

According to Long, the Senior Citizens Center currently has a two-year lease with Fisher Community Center. She added that she was glad the rollout courts could be purchased so that play could continue at FCC in addition to other activities the Senior Center offers.