- May 14, 2024
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Paul Holub (fourth from left) celebrates the ribbon-cutting for the new basketball court along with city officials, his family and community members. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin speaks during the ribbon-cutting for the new outdoor basketball court at SONC on Tuesday, April 25. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Mayor Bill Partington reads a proclamation recognizing Paul Holub during the ribbon-cutting for the new outdoor basketball court at SONC on Tuesday, April 25. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Paul Holub is recognized by the Ormond Beach City Commission — Lori Tolland, Susan Persis, Travis Sargent and Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Mayor Bill Partington presents Paul Holub with a key to the city during the ribbon-cutting for the new outdoor basketball court at SONC on Tuesday, April 25. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Paul Holub speaks during the ribbon-cutting for the new outdoor basketball court at SONC on Tuesday, April 25. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Paul Holub (fourth from left) celebrates the ribbon-cutting for the new basketball court along with city officials, his family and community members. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Paul Holub (fourth from left) celebrates the ribbon-cutting for the new basketball court along with city officials, his family and community members. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Susan Persis and Mayor Bill Partington toss around a basketball on the new court. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The South Ormond Neighborhood Center officially has a new outdoor basketball court.
The city celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the court on Tuesday, April 25, where officials also recognized local developer Paul Holub, who gifted the court to the city after hearing that the old one was going to be removed for the construction of a new indoor gymnasium at the center, located at 176 Division Ave.
“This is probably the project I’m most excited about,” Holub said. “Of everything that we’ve built in this city, I think this one means the most.”
Holub is one of the “regulars” who frequently plays pickup basketball games at SONC. When he approached the city manager last year with his proposal, he mentioned that, while growing up, children built up their confidence playing basketball at SONC’s outdoor court.
He said he felt it was an integral part of the local community.
Holub isn’t one to be in the spotlight, Mayor Bill Partington said at the ceremony.
“Paul is humble, almost to a fault,” he said. “He doesn’t seek attention, but he’s an extremely hard worker and extremely detail-oriented individual, and he cares deeply about Ormond Beach, and that’s a big part of what makes our city so fantastic — is that we have residents who really love and contribute to our city.”
The mayor presented Holub with a key to the city at the ceremony.
In addition to the court, Holub updated all of the lighting in the park and parking lot to LED fixtures. Last summer, Holub also sponsored the Ormond Beach Youth Basketball travel team to participate in tournaments from Florida to South Carolina.
Ormond Beach Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin said it’s unusual to have a citizen reach out to the city and donate a gift such as a new basketball court. And Holub continued his construction effort, Carolin said, even as inflation impacted the initial cost.
“... [He] never blinked an eye and was there every step of the way to make sure that this project was completed and top notch,” Carolin said.
On March 11, the Nationalist Socialist Movement filled out a permit application seeking to hold a “First Amendment Political” protest in Ormond Beach against Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Saturday, April 22.
The city denied the application. The NSM, classified as a neo-Nazi group by the Anti-Defamation League, never showed up.
In a letter addressed to the group’s leader, Burt Colucci, City Attorney Randy Hayes wrote that the application was “untimely, deficient and incomplete,” and that it didn’t comply with the city’s regulations and laws. Hayes specifically cited an ordinance on public nuisance hate groups. He also noted that Colucci is facing criminal charges for crimes alleged during a previous rally, with a trial set for June.
In his application, Colucci stated his group wished to protest the sheriff’s “corrupt, unconstitutional and unprofessional law enforcement techniques in the county.” He also wrote that if the permit was denied, his group would pursue a federal court ruling on the matter of free speech.
The city’s Environmental Discovery Center, located at 601 Division Ave., closed on Monday, April 24 for the construction of a new aquarium centerpiece, according to a notice by the city of Ormond Beach.
The city expects to reopen the EDC during the week of May 1.
The city reports South Beach Street will be closed between Ellsworth Avenue and Riverview Drive on Thursday, May 4, for repairs to the sidewalk and the removal of a tree.
The closure is expect to begin at 8:30 a.m. The city aims to reopen the road at 3 p.m. During the closure, traffic will be detoured using Ellsworth Avenue, South Ridgewood Avenue and Riverview Drive, according to a city notice.
