News

Gainesville's Racquet Club clubhouse destroyed by fires

By MEGAN ROLLAND
Sun staff writer

Published: Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10:03 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10:03 a.m.

AARON DAYE/The Gainesville Sun

A pedestrian walks by the front of DB Racquet Club on Monday, April 12, 2008 after a fire broke out early Sunday morning. The cause of the fire is still undetermined.

Following a series of fires over the weekend, the clubhouse at DB Racquet Club is now a complete loss, said the club's assistant pro Tracey Begley.

Begley said the first fire began at about 1 a.m. Sunday and burned the beauty parlor, second story-restaurant and recently remodeled bathrooms complete with saunas and showers.

The building at 5100 NW 53rd Ave flared back up at 2 a.m. Monday due to high winds, Begley said and by 9 a.m. firefighters were still on the scene.

She said the second fire burned out the pro-shop.

"It's gone," Begley said. "Firefighters are going to hang out here all day because they said it will start back up here any second."

The cause of the fire was still unknown Monday morning.

"Hopefully we will rebuild bigger and better," Begley said.

None of the tennis or racquetball courts were damaged.