We need you to take two minutes this morning to insert a comment at the bottom of an article in today's San Mateo Daily Journal. The article details how City of Burlingame staff have expressed a preference for an adult golf entertainment center in lieu of the two sheet ice rink under consideration. Next Tuesday, the Burlingame City Council will hear public comments on potential recreational uses for a large City property off 101 at Anza. As previously mentioned, a community non-profit has proposed a state-of-the-art two sheet ice rink with restaurant and homework center. Unfortunately, City staff is leaning toward a proposal from TopGolf, a Texas corporation that provides golf entertainment, primarily for adults. If you are a Burlingame resident, please make sure to mention so in your comments. Here are some other points: - The ice rink has enormous pent up demand given the recent closure of two rinks on the Peninsula. It is expected to attract 500,000 visitors, from a wide array of ages and backgrounds. - A public, recreational use should not be sold to the highest bidder. It should be provided to the option will best serve the needs of the Burlingame and neighboring communities. - The City of Burlingame should reward local businesses with the community's interest at heart. A local nonprofit has put forward the ice rink proposal; it has deep ties to the community. TopGolf, on the other hand, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Dallas, Texas. - The ice rink will provide an active recreational benefit for Burlingame and local youth; this is greatly needed the increasing population and dwindling recreational opportunities on the Peninsula. By contrast, only 15% of TopGolf's users are 17 and younger. In addition, TopGolf only allows guests under 16 years with adult supervision. This is not an after school recreational option for Burlingame youth. - TopGolf bills itself as an entertainment company, not a recreational facility. A San Jose citizen group is currently engaging in legal action against a similar TopGolf proposal: “This facility wants to operate until 2 a.m. and they cater to young adults who drink alcohol,” said Mark Espinoza, 42, the group’s president. “I consider this a bar and nightclub and it’s disguised as a golf driving range. It’s a Vegas-style entertainment center and it destroys the character of the small town of Alviso.” - The City of Burlingame has cited TopGolf's support from local hotels. Our local governments should make decisions based on the needs of local residents, however, not the profits of out of town hotel chains like Hyatt and Marriott and the associated hotel tax revenue. Please click through to the attached article and leave a comment at the bottom on the SMDJ site. (Don't leave a comment here on change.org.) Thanks again for your much needed support. See you at the meeting on Tuesday! Mike Swire and the Committee to Save the San Mateo Ice Rink