ASHTABULA – It wasn’t St. Patrick’s Day yet, but the owners of the new Shenanigan’s Sports Hall in Ashtabula didn’t need the luck of the Irish for a successful ribbon cutting March 4.
The ceremony by the Greater Ashtabula Chamber of Commerce at the business at 4631 Main Ave. had a large turnout of local dignitaries as they celebrated the new business, which features a wide variety of fun activities in an indoor setting in the downtown.
Greg Church, executive director the Chamber, thanked the business owners – Don Meola, Steve Lindsay, Jim McCoy and Dave Clint — for their vision, their investment and dedication throughout the process of bringing the business to life.
“We are here to celebrate a very exciting development in downtown Ashtabula that requires a lot of hard work,” Church said. “It requires perseverance. You know, not everything works on the timeline you want it to. There’s a lot of pieces that have to come together. They don’t always work as quickly as you want them to do, but nonetheless we’re here.”
He noted that a lot of people who are excited about Shenanigan’s were in attendance at the ribbon cutting.
“I want to thank everybody,” he said, noting there were people from downtown businesses, the county commissioners, the fire department, and the city. The Ashtabula Downtown Development Association (ADDA) also was represented.
Ashtabula City Council member Jodi Mills, who represents Ward 4, presented a certificate of recognition and a letter from city council to Shenanigan’s Sports Hall.
“I’m excited because this new business is in Ward 4,” she said.
Noting the owners could have chosen to put the business anywhere they wanted, she said their decision to put it on Main Avenue shows they have faith in the downtown.
She noted the downtown is getting revitalized.
“I’m excited,” she said. “Our ADDA is doing fantastic work – a fantastic team and president. So, I just thank you for that and we believe in you.”
The letter Mills presented reads, “We are pleased to welcome a business such as yours to the City of Ashtabula! We take great pride in wishing you an abundance of success in our thriving community and are excited you will call Ashtabula home. It is a sign the area is growing and business is good.”
McCoy offered his gratitude to everyone who showed up.
“I want to thank everybody for coming out today,” he said. “I really appreciate it. We all do. Looking around, I see a lot of familiar faces.”
The business, which opened its doors in mid-January in the former Salvation Army building, is 18,000 square foot in size.
According to an ADDA Facebook post, sports, games, food, drinks and entertainment for all ages can be found at Shenanigan’s Sports Hall.
On the first floor, there are two full-sized pickleball courts, three cornhole boards and two shuffleboard courts in the main area while the back corner has two golf simulation bays — an open concept bay for smaller groups or short visits and a larger bay with seating up to 12 people for groups and private parties, the post reads.
In addition, the ADDA post notes that duck pin bowling and skee-ball are in the full bar area with plenty of seating for eating, drinking and watching the activities.
There are also several free kid activities on the first floor, such as a small putt putt course, while the basement area has two full-sized bocce courts for competitions and leagues as well as seating, according to the post.
The basement floor also has a dart room and billiard room and a second bar as well as a private seating area that is available to rent for parties or events, the post notes.
