HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/26/2023 Item Public Comment, Sullivan
From:Brett Sullivan <
To:Community Forum
Subject:Community Forum Ideas
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Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I am a former SLO resident, currently residing in Atascadero, but I
work full time in SLO and do a majority of my shopping and recreating in San Luis. I am extremely thankful for
the work and funding that the city devotes to it's parks and open spaces.
In the last 5 years I have been an avid user of the Ken Hampian rink for inline hockey. The rink is a great
facility, and is unparalleled anywhere on the central coast, but is in need of maintenance, repair, and some
improvements.
Recently I volunteered as part of a group of approximately 10 individuals to fix a few sections of damaged
puck boards (large white plastic panels) and kick plates (yellow base boards). However, the entire facility
needs to be thoroughly inspected for damage that may not be readily apparent, damage that may lead to
player injury during the upcoming spring youth and adult summer hockey leagues.
Additionally, the chain link fencing at both ends of the rink is not tall enough to contain pucks that ricochet off
of the goals especially during adult pickup and league play. This occurs multiple times per game and it's
common for pucks to strike parked cars and carrom into the adjacent skate park. Another tier of fencing
(additional 8 feet) at each end would likely contain most ricochets within the rink.
While this rink is unmatched in quality over any rinks in the region, I would like to suggest a few improvements
to the rink that would have a high benefit per dollar value:
* additional/improved bleacher seating,
* a changing area (expanded concrete sidewalk with benches) and
* permanent/semi permanent shade structures over the player benches.
I am part of a new non profit (SLO Hockey) that will be taking leadership of youth and adult hockey leagues
and clinics held the Hampian rink. Part of our mission is to grow the sport of inline hockey in the next 2-3
years to at least double it's current local participation. In addition to local leagues, clinics, and other events,
we also envision hosting tournaments that would include visiting teams from central coast as well as the the
Bay Area to LA and from the Central Valley. These improvements would be essential to facilitate hosting these
events and to keep visitors coming back.
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Regards,
Brett Sullivan
Board Member, SLO Hockey
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