HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/3/2021 Item 2, O'Kelly
From:Brian O'Kelly <
To:Christian, Kevin
Subject:Fwd: PRC: Pickleball Input for the Draft SLO Parks and Rec Element Update, Agenda
Item #2
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February 27, 2021
To: PRC and City Staff
From: Brian O'Kelly, President, San Luis Obispo Pickleball Club
Subject: Pickleball Input for the Draft SLO Parks and Rec Element Update
Hello Commissioners and City Staff,
First, I would like to congratulate the PRC, city staff, and all the stakeholders who got us to this point with what appears
to be a very good guide for developing recreational opportunities in the city for years to come. Job well done!
As a representative of the Pickleball Community we are very happy with the recognition pickleball has gotten in the
draft as a growing sport for all ages with a good analysis of needs going forward. Being a fairly new sport, and one with
a rather goofy name that is sometimes hard to take seriously, we appreciate all the city has done for us to match the
rapid growth in the city with temporary and permanent courts.
A "Pickleball Center"
We would like to see the addition of the wording "Pickleball Center" as an aspirational goal in Chapter 5 under the
heading, Special Recreation Facility (or where appropriate). This may sound like a lofty goal, but this is the 20 Year Plan
and could be one of the easier goals to meet over time. Most sports in town have a location where they have the
ability to host larger events, ie, the swim center, Sinsheimer tennis courts, Damon Garcia sports fields, Laguna Lake Golf
Course, etc. We feel this is an important goal that should be specifically listed. A Pickleball center would need at a
minimum 8 courts and facilities that would support a bigger event such as a large BBQ area, adequate bathrooms,
parking, and lots of room.
Again, thank you for all your time and expertise you have applied to this project and we look forward to many years of
fun pickleball play to come!
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See you on the Courts!
Brian O'Kelly
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