Ellwood City man starts board game club

Aug 18, 2023

ELLWOOD CITY ― The grand opening of Sidetracks Board Game Club at 205 Fifth St. is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Founder Doug Smith invites the public to stop in and browse the library of games, get acquainted and get information about the club.

"Playing games is fun that's why we call it playing," Smith said.

Sidetracks mission is to provide a place for social interaction and community building through the fun and enjoyment of tabletop gaming in a casual, family-friendly environment.

The shop, a first for Ellwood City, was adapted by Smith for the community. While checking out game board cafes in large cities, Smith found a diverse group of people from families to teens and seniors enjoying games.

Smith customized the cafe concept for Ellwood City. With lots of restaurants nearby, he will be offering packaged snacks including chips and candy bars and drinks.

Smith's collection of more than 400 games gives people the opportunity to learn new games or play their favorites. Rule books can be 15 pages long, but you will be playing in 15 minutes because Smith, the guru of games, will get you started.

After a lot of thought, Smith decided to call his venture Sidetracks.

"On a railroad, a sidetrack or siding is what connects the railroad to local communities and that’s the whole point of the board game club. It’s an avenue for connecting people within the community and for building new communities of friends," he said.

Sidetracks is relevant because Ellwood City and western Pennsylvania have a rich railroad heritage.

The club memberships include seasonal (10 weeks), $65; annual individual members, $275; and annual family, $400. A membership gets you a designated two-hour club meeting once a week, unlimited free play during Open Gaming times, generally Saturdays and Sundays, but also some bonus days, and discounted rates for monthly game tournaments. People who do not buy a membership can play Open Gaming times by paying a cover charge.

In keeping with the railroad theme, the clubs are Conductors, ages 10-13; Firemen, ages 10-13; Engineers, ages 13 -18; and Boilermakers, only open to adults 21 and over. It features all types of board and card games from light party games to heavy strategy games depending on your mood for the night.

"Bring your favorite beverage and relax with friends while hanging out and playing games," Smith said.

More information at Memberships | My Site (sidetracksbgc.com).

Smith said there is a game for everyone. He uses the example of his wife, Joanne, who didn't like to play games and only played them reluctantly.

"Never liked games until she played Wing Span. She likes birds, feeds birds, watches birds and now we are playing Wing Span almost every evening," Smith said.

Wing Span is one of the most phenomenal successful and best board games of recent years, selling well over a million copies.

Some games are not competing against your friends, but you form a team and work to beat the game.

"The older I get, the more I appreciate that rather than being a sidetrack from accomplishing more important things, time spent with family and friends really is the most valuable thing in the world," Smith said.

He grew up with Clue, Monopoly, Battleship and other games of the time. Over the years, his interest in games continued to grow, and collecting games became his hobby.

Smith said with six children you don't have a lot of disposable cash and games give you a big bang for your buck.

"I developed a love for board games at an early age. I've passed that love on to my six children, who started gaming as soon as they could be trusted not to put the dice in their mouths," he said.

After graduating from West Virginia University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Smith worked in the field of transportation engineering and regional planning for 22 years. During that time, he also served as a local youth baseball and soccer coach and Boy Scout leader.

His passion for working with young people led him to a new career. In 2019, Smith received a master's degree in secondary education from Slippery Rock University. Currently, Smith, of Ellwood City, is a social studies teacher for an online education company and the leader of Boy Scout Troop 806.

For club times and more information on Sidetracks Board Games Club, go to Home | My Site (sidetracksbgc.com).