Today reminds us of our first blizzard at PRC. We purchased the club in June, 1995 and on January 6-9, 1996, experienced one of the most historical blizzards in history. It snowed for 3 days and snowfall amounts measured around 30″ in the area – with huge drifts everywhere from the high winds.
In those days, we used the “old” entrance (there were no outdoor courts then), a small almost single lane driveway which was located where the houses are located next to the hard courts. Our equipment wasn’t adequate to clear almost 3′ of snow, so we flagged a plow down on Raymond Road and he said he would do one single lane pass. When we eventually opened, we would stop all clinics/courts 5 minutes early. One of us would stop traffic on Raymond Road and have all the cars exit at one time and then wave the next group into the driveway.
The snow was so heavy that our flat roof collapsed (over the nursery/annex room). We learned that you may need to shovel the roof before the sidewalk. Huge sheets of snow and ice slid off the court roof and then slammed into the drifts that had accumulated on the side of the building and lifted the siding right out of the concrete base. You could see outside from the indoor courts. The insurance adjuster couldn’t believe it and accused us of driving a snow plow into the side of a building – which was impossible since it was lined by many trees back then!
Fun memories. Stay warm and be safe.