Hi all. Have a few updates this week and one call to action!
1) The City is hoping to install 2 more courts in between the north and south courts by the end of summer. I am trying to push them to move more quickly on this, but they say they don't have the budget to do so until the new fiscal year starts in July. Even though we paid for the courts, they still need to use budget to get the staff time for the installation.
2) We have installed permanent lines on all the south courts and are planning to install them on the 6 new north courts this week as well. LMK if you're interested in helping. Email be at besser@gmail.com.
3) Frustratingly, there are two more south OP courts reserved for a private company on Saturday mornings through the summer (that's the pic I attached). I am writing you all hoping I can convince you to write the city about this because they need to hear from a critical mass of people if we hope to get them to stop making the courts "pay for play." This Saturday, an unbelievable 19 of the courts were reserved for private use. Here is who you need to write:
heath.hamilton@santamonica.gov is in charge of the beach courts
joelle.simmons@santamonica.gov is his boss
ccs@smgov.net is the the Recreation & Parks Commission
Below is a template you can use if you need inspiration.
Thanks all!
~~Sean Besser
INSPIRATION TEMPLATE FOR WRITING THE CITY:
Hello Heath, Joelle, and the Recreation & Parks Commission.
I am writing you about the increased "pay for play" access to the beach volleyball courts on weekends. The volleyball community just learned that 2 more courts have been reserved by a company every Saturday AM through July. This past Saturday AM at the Ocean Park Courts, 14 courts were reserved for a tournament and 5 were taken for private corporate use. This is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. These courts are taxpayer funded and shouldn't become "pay for play" access, especially during the prime times when people are off work.
This is not right. I ask that you put the interests of the residents of our city first. This is not in line what or residents expect on OUR weekends. We need a clear and defined policy governing the number of courts allowed to be taken out of the public domain on weekends and private for profit companies should primarily be given permits on courts in less demand, like those north of the pier.