I am Coach Mo (Melissa Duffield), the Director and Founder of Precision One Volleyball, a Non-profit, and I am deeply distressed about the recent proposal by the City of Robins to amend the zoning on our newly acquired sports facility at 3100 Eagle Drive, Robins, Iowa. This facility represents our dreams—it is the first and only permanent venue that the girls of Precision One Volleyball can call their own that we have found in 9 years. We offer a safe and welcoming space for underprivileged girls including scholarships and opportunities many would not have elsewhere. We are a voice for the voiceless including crimes agains children and we are advocates in our community. We are also looking to use this facility for other sports and community events as well offering a small space for those that do not have one trying to do good for the broader community in Linn County.

Every detail of this new facility has been thoughtfully planned to offer opportunities for community events, community advocacy, camps, and growth—not just for the players, but for the entire community on a mission to do good. In addition to providing a nurturing environment for our athletes, this recreation facility is poised to bring economic benefits to local businesses including gas stations, restaurants, and shops. It’s a project that promises to invigorate the local economy while providing an invaluable service to our community.

Yet, just a week after we signed the purchase agreement, the zoning commissioner wants to restrict our facility only within this brand new  development that was final platted commercial, by changing the zoning to PMI - Industrial with zero justification. They also made NEW zoning verbiage  for our facility ONLY  to be restricted to practice sessions ONLY, and NOT be allowed to be open to the public, have events or assemblies we had planned, severely curtailing its potential. Such a change disregards the needs and dreams of our youth, who deserve a space to learn, grow, and achieve together while inviting in guest speakers from around the world and movements that I as a Director are involved in to make our community and nation better such as Justice Without Limits and We Shall Be Free and currently am a Federal Safesport Whistleblower Advocate for children. We feel this IS A direct targeting on our program that speaks up for the voiceless and vulnerable and serves the underprivileged and those suffering injustices. 

There is absolutely no reason to implement such restrictive zoning changes after the final plans for a brand new commercial zoning development had already been finalized and already has three other active business buildings built under commercial zoning. This new change undermines not just our plans, but the spirit of sportsmanship and community engagement we're striving to promote. Our initiative aims to foster an inclusive environment that champions the development of young athletes while boosting local commerce and changes in our community for Good.

We need the City of Robins to do what’s right for our kids, our community, and our businesses. I am calling on you to sign to tell the officials to VOTE NO to this zoning change. This decision has far-reaching effects beyond just the walls of our facility—it affects the future of our children, the strength of our community ties, and the health of our local economy.

Sign this petition to help us preserve our original vision for the Precision One facility and the development as C2. Make sure our community continues to have spaces that encourage unity, prosperity, and opportunity for all its members. Let your voice be heard and ensure that this new home can fully serve its purpose. Stand with us to protect our dreams and the dreams of our young athletes at Precision One Volleyball.

https://www.precisiononevolleyball.com

https://www.precisiononevolleyball.com/meet-coach-mo - @Coachmofrog TikTok

Donations Accepted Online and Venmo: @volleyfrogsPOV #5104 for scholarship fund. 

TELL THE CITY OF ROBINS WHAT YOU THINK VIA EMAIL ABOUT TARGETING FACILITIES FOR KIDS :

Mayor Chuck Hinza of City of Robins, Iowa - chuck.hinz@cityofrobins.org

City Council Members of City of Robins, Iowa:

Leigh Cook, Mike Foley CONFLICT OF INTEREST, Dave Franzman, Cary Smith, JD Smithcary.smith@cityofrobins.org; jd.smith@cityofrobins.org; mike.foley@cityofrobins.org; leigh.cook@cityofrobins.org; dave.franzman@cityofrobins.org; 

City Engineer – Kelli Scott, P.E. - CONFLICT OF INTEREST - kelli.scott@cityofrobins.org 

Vance McKinnon (Former Cedar Rapids Police Chief) CONFLICT OF INTEREST - zoning.administrator@cityofrobins.org City Clerk Lisa Goodin - lisa.goodin@cityofrobins.org