From: Steven BUSH
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: June 4, 2024 Meeting, Agenda Item #10, Marina Park Concept Option 2 Date: Monday, June 3, 2024 11:23:22 PM
Honorable City Council Members,
I am writing this email as a lifelong resident of Orange County, California and an avid outdoor racquetball player. In fact, I am writing this email so late in the evening because I just got home a few minutes ago after playing outdoor racquetball with a group of friends who play every Monday night at Marina Park.
I started playing racquetball in 1977 when I was 12 years old. During the last 45 years outdoor racquetball has been such an important part of both my physical and psychological wellbeing that it is hard for me to put into words how important it is to me. Suffice it to say, I play outdoor racquetball 2-3 times a week at Marina Park, with a large group of friends who are a part of the outdoor racquetball community.
The main reason I am writing this email is to encourage you to support the Proposed Concept Option 2 that was recommended by the CLS Commission. As you are aware Concept Option 2 includes keeping 8 racquetball courts at Marina Park. I understand that there are many people in our community who have different interests when it comes to the redevelopment of Marina Park, but I would like to briefly explain why keeping the 8 outdoor racquetball courts as a part of Marina Park is so important to so many of us.
First and foremost, Marina Park is the home of the Outdoor National Racquetball Tournament, along with many other smaller tournaments every year. What makes Marina Park such a valuable asset to the community is the size and dimensions of the courts and the fact that there are 8 courts. The size of the racquetball courts at Marina Park challenges even the most athletic individuals because there is so much court to cover even when playing doubles. The fact that there are 8 racquetball courts allows us to host thousands of racquetball players from the entire country, and sometimes even outside of the United States, every year. The players not only enjoy playing at the highest level of competition in our sport, but they also get to enjoy the city of Huntington Beach and all that it has to offer. If Marina Park were to reduce the number of racquetball courts from 8 to 6, this would significantly hinder our ability to host everyone who is currently playing on and competing in our tournaments, and it would also hinder those who are just enjoying the courts on a weekly basis like I do.
Second, I understand that other community members have made comments about wanting more pickleball courts, and maybe even more tennis courts, basketball courts, and probably even more baseball fields. From our viewpoint, what is different about our request to keep the 8 racquetball courts when compared to increasing the number of other courts or fields, is that you can go to any other city in Orange County and find pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, and baseball fields. Not only can you find them, but a sport like pickleball seems to be building 100’s of new 6/4/2024
10 (24-412)
courts every year. What is different about outdoor racquetball courts is that you cannot find them in every city, and some of the courts that I played at many years ago, like the ones at Golden West College, have been torn down. We are not asking you to build more courts, just leave the 8 in place so that all of us who love outdoor racquetball can continue to enjoy our sport and compete with players from all over our country.
There are thousands of outdoor racquetball players who love the sport of racquetball and Marina Park has been the shining symbol of Outdoor Racquetball at it’s highest competitive level for many, many years. I implore you to please support keeping 8 racquetball courts as a part of Marina Park so we can continue to utilize the beautiful park and the city of Huntington Beach as the hub for Outdoor Racquetball.
We appreciate your consideration in this matter,
Sincerely,
Steven Bush & Many Friends