The Elgin Community Club chimney was struck by lightning over the weekend, causing considerable damage and some last-minute scrambling to get the building suitable for Tuesday’s Congressional District 7 special election.
The strike was believed to have occurred Friday or Saturday night, and the damage was discovered Monday when the Santa Cruz County election staff and poll workers arrived to set up the voting center. Several large pieces of debris littered the parking lot, and a large chunk of the chimney remained precariously perched on the clubhouse roof. In addition, electricity was short-circuited for much of the building.
Poll workers Janet Veta and William Schock coordinated response efforts with county officials. The danger areas in the parking log were taped off, and electricity for most of the building was restored in time for the poll opening at 6 a.m., though the voting center was without air conditioning.
The club’s board of directors was meeting Wednesday to consider next steps in restoration efforts, which are expected to be covered by the facility’s insurance. The clubhouse was built in 1932, and the chimney and fireplace were built in 1939 by Stone Collie and Ernest Axton.