Residents of the streets that border Clifford Park in Auburn are wondering what to do to save the historic clubhouse there.

The Jack Clifford Memorial Park houses a clubhouse that is deteriorating and would cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair.

City Manager Mark Palesh approached the residents last month. The building's history and the neighbors' feelings toward it quickly ended any discussions about demolishing the structure.

Two contractors have looked at the building, with one estimate for repairs reaching $80,000, Palesh said. The city owns the structure, but is looking to the neighbors to raise at least some of the funds. Palesh provided some financial avenues for the informal neighborhood group to explore.

“I'm looking to ... bring a partnership with them to council. It's been evident that they want to keep it and fix it up for the historical value,” Palesh said.

It remains unclear if the neighbors would agree to foot the whole bill.

Palesh said the walls aren't straight everywhere, the roof needs replacing, and the siding needs fixing.

The downstairs can be used for ice skaters' to put skates on and storing the skates; also for gatherings, and rest rooms.

Mary Street resident Jean LaDouce realizes the clubhouse needs a lot of work, but says everyone she's talked to wants to keep the building. Homeowners will meet Monday to discuss options as well as priorities for the park. They want money earmarked in the upcoming city budget for maintenance and possibly a caretaker or director.

LaDouce's husband, Charles, is exploring getting the structure labeled as a historic building. This could help the city apply for grants to restore the structure.

In June, a group of residents requested the city step up its maintenance of Clifford Park. They complained about loose trash, overflowing garbage bins, lackluster garden beds and neglected buildings. Crews replaced a broken swing, added a side light, removed the bleachers and fixed wooden benches.

LaDouce called the one day crews spent at the park “a tease.”

“It's a beginning,” she said, adding that Palesh and other city officials have been receptive to their comments and ideas.

However, general maintenance is still a concern, according to resident Mary Anne Maye.

“If you ride down the street and look over, it looks OK,” Maye said. “You have to get out and walk around.”

While the city officials say the attendance is down, LaDouce wonders if having a director sponsoring activities would increase traffic. Also, the neighborhood is again becoming home to young families as people are taking over their parents' homes.

In the past year and a half, the neighborhood has welcomed a handful of younger families moving in to Mary, Steel, and Swift streets which border the park, nicknamed the Y field.

“You can see why we want to maintain this neighborhood and the park and elevate the status of the park,” Maye said while rattling off area families with babies.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net