HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/6/2019 Item 3, O'Kelly
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Brian O'Kelly <
To:Advisory Bodies; Scott, Shawna; Avakian, Greg
Subject:PRC communication
Attachments:20_year_plan_input.pdf
To: Parks and Recreation Commission and City Staff
From: Brian O'Kelly, San Luis Obispo Pickleball Club, Inc.
Subject: 20 Year Plan Input Summary from SLOPB Club
See attached PDF File
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SLO Pickleball Club, Inc
Date: November 3, 2019
To: City of San Luis Obispo Park & Recreation Commission and City Staff
From: Brian O’Kelly, President, SLO Pickleball Club, Inc.
Subject: Summary of Pickleball Community Input for the City’s 20 Year Plan
As you, the Commission and City Staff, close in on making your final decisions as to what will be included
in the City of San Luis Obispo’s 20 Year Plan, SLO Pickleball Club wants to make one last pitch for
including pickleball. Pickleball has led the way in community support at the many City-sponsored input
gathering sessions. Without a doubt, there is a large and dedicated pickleball community here in the City
of San Luis Obispo and it is willing to step up to help the City with its plan and in reaching its goals.
We think the following is an achievable goal for the City, and the Parks & Recreation Commission, and
that it warrants inclusion and priority in the City’s 20 Year Plan.
1.Expansion of Permanent Pickleball Facilities at French Park to Create a City Pickleball
Center. Pickleball is a social sport where single players can show up and have a built-in group
for exercise, intellectual stimulation, and social interaction. These needs are best met in a single
location,not spread out around the city.
There is an easy, low-cost path to achieving this objective. SLO Pickleball Club is ready and willing to
partner with the City, by ways of leadership and financial resources to make this a reality.
Throughout the City’s process for soliciting and receiving input on the 20 Year Plan, pickleball
improvements were always at or near the top of the ranking with a high number of community members
providing input and responses. Pickleball has very strong community support in this City.
1.At the September 4, 2019 meeting for “Visionary Park Improvements”, the pickleball community
submitted over thirty (30) written letters in support of a City Pickleball Center. This was the
number one community supported improvement project based upon written responses.
https://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=96666&dbid=0&repo=CityClerk
https://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=96750&dbid=0&repo=CityClerk
2.As a part of the Community Engagement Survey/Community Needs Assessment completed
at the Ludwick Community Center over a period of several months, pickleball again led the way
with community support.
1.During the “Dreams of Programs & Activities” assessment, pickleball was the #2
(number two) ranked activity in terms of the number of community responses. (See
Attachment 1).
2.During the “Dreams of Parks & Facilities” portion of the survey completed at the
Ludwick Community Center, pickleball was the #1 (number one) top ranked requested
facility. (See Attachment 2)
3.During the “Ideas for Events in Parks” session, “Sport Tournaments” was the #3
suggestion and Pickleball was a large segment of this category. (See Attachment 3)
SLO Pickleball Club, Inc
Pickleball By The Numbers (for the period September 1 to November 1, 2019)
French Park UPPER Courts (new permanent pickleball courts):1,149 player days
French Park LOWER Courts (multi-use courts - pickleball use): 813 player days
French Park LOWER Courts (TENNIS USE ONLY)` 40 player days
Statistics indicate that the new permanent Upper Courts at French Park has been full every single
morning since opening on September 1st.
Player Days is calculated by: 1 person playing 1 day = 1
We anticipate, and the Club’s past attendance records tell us that use of the French Park LOWER
COURTS will increase over the next six months as play patterns adjust to fill all available scheduled court
time. (See Attachment 4, which includes pickleball, tennis, basketball and horseshoes play at French
Park)
Thank you for your commitment to community input, long range planning, allocation of resources, and for
your time and consideration of the future of pickleball in the City of San Luis Obispo’s overall Parks &
Recreation plan for its active citizens. The City is fortunate to be in a good position to address the needs
and wants of the community with minimal impact to other sports and activities. I am available to meet
with you to discuss the details of how a City Pickleball Center can be developed.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the SLO Pickleball Club,
Brian O’Kelly
President
SLO Pickleball Club, Inc.
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SLO Pickleball Club, Inc
Attachment #1 Attachment #2
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SLO Pickleball Club, Inc
Attachment #3
Pickleball was a large contributor to the #3 category Sports Tournaments, Events
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SLO Pickleball Club, Inc
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