HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2017 - GaydosCOUNCIL MEETING: i - In- I'f RECEIVE0
ITEM NO.:- JAN JAN 0 9 2017
R
From: "John Gaydos" <
Date: Sun, Jan 8, 2017 at 6:49 PM -0800
Subject: Please Prioritize Soccer Fields and open space
To: "E-mail Council Website" <emailcouncil@slocit��>
Cc: "John Gaydos" <
Hello Mayor Harmon and Council members,
Summary
*SLO City Population has increased — put parks and open spaces have not increased in-line with the
population
*Damon Garcia can generate revenue for SLO City if it had the correct grass planted and was used
more often.
I am writing to highlight the need for manicured open spaces, and fixing Damon Garcia -as critical &
attainable goals for discussion at the - goal setting meeting next week.
SLO City population continues to rise — but our City Parks, parking, roads/infrastructure have not
grown to meet the increase in population. Open manicured flat space is attainable. Enforcing an
open space requirement on any new development should be upheld. If a developer wants to
purchase land, build commercial or residential buildings; then they must plan for an open manicured
space that potentially may be used for sports activities. (I would also like to see all buildings have
underground parking — but I will leave that for another email). Simply put — more houses mean more
people and we need places for those people to set up organized play activities — in the form of
manicured flat open spaces.
It is critical to review Damon Garcia. The money spent to keep up the facility. How often and by
whom it is used. And the changes needed to make it "correct".
Damon Garcia is the jewel soccer and sports complex, money making opportunity, and central
park in SLO County — but it is broken.
Damon Garcia has the incorrect grass planted. SLO City spends a lot of money for upkeep and it is
seldern used. Good money is thrown after triad money for it's maintenance. And an opportunity to
bring in revenue into SLO City is lost.
Damon Garcia has the incorrect grass planted. This has been widely mentioned and discussed
often. No soccer field in southern California is part grass and part sand. None. As a coach for San
Luis Obispo Soccer Club I have traveled to soccer fields all over southern California — in that entire
area — only Damon has grass mixed with sand. The grass that was planted was the wrong. And the
back fill of sand is a mistake.
*Please speak with local landscape maintenance, landscape architects, and golf course
administrators who have strong knowledge in the correct grass and substrate to plant.
*1 would be in favor of closing 1/3 of Damon Garcia down at a time to scrape the sand and
grass down a foot or 2 feet and invest in the correct top soil and replant and allow the correct type of
grass to grow.
To pay for updating Damon Garcia users like AYSO SLO, SLO Soccer Club and CC Adult soccer
should be charged more for permitted use.
To make up the costs — SLO Soccer Club and CC soccer could potentially use Damon Garcia all of
the time. SLOSC could run more tournaments. Tournaments bring in teams/revenue from outside the
area.
Thank you very much for your time and energy. Keep up the great work!
John
John Gaydos
Director Of Operations
San Luis Obispo Soccer Club