HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-23 Public Comment - J. Anderson - 2024 Cash-in-lieu Parkland budget proposalFrom:John-Henry Anderson
To:Agenda
Subject:2024 Cash-in-lieu Parkland budget proposal
Date:Thursday, June 1, 2023 1:30:31 PM
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I am writing this in support of passing the 2024 Cash-in-lieu Parkland budget.
I have been an avid beach volleyball player my whole life (despite growing up here in MT).
Since moving to Bozeman in 2012 we have benefitted from the sand courts at Glen LakeRotary Park. I worked with our USA Volleyball Region office to provide the nets that are
currently being used at the park today. This park is over-utilized from June through the firstfall frost. The Park is abused and the courts are in high demand.
I also run a juniors beach volleyball club through Big Sky Volleyball which has been a staple
in Bozeman for more than 30 years. 2023 marks our 3rd season and I have ~60 youth athletesthat participate in the program.
Despite my official rental of the courts through Bozeman Parks and Recs, I am regularly
harassed by individuals that want to use the courts during our practices. Beacause of this, onceschool is out, we have moved our practices to early mornings to avoid the more intoxicated
patrons that want to use the courts in the afternoons/evenings. Even then, we get a moreserious beach volleyball crowd who get ousted by us 2 mornings/week. This past weekend,
my personal beach volleyball group, (guys who travel throughout the country playing highlevel competitive beach volleyball), struggle to find court availability despite showing up to
the courts at 7am. We don't' even bother trying in the afternoons anymore, knowing we willfind the intoxicated crowd playing 7 vs 9.
WE NEED MORE BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURTS IN BOZEMAN!
It is that simple.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider our request!
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John-Henry AndersonBig Sky Beach Volleyball Club Director
jhabeachvb@gmail.com406-240-9976