I want to thank each and every member of our club who attended the Eagle Rock Park meeting last night. As you know, the pickleball presence was overwhelming — there were at least 10 pickleball supporters there for every 1 tennis person. I know your presence and your comments made a huge impact on the Park and Rec people, as well as on the Park Commission member who attended. They know who we are, and they know for sure how many of us there are!
At the last minute, Parks and Rec changed the ground rules for the meeting. I had been told they would hold an actual vote at the meeting, but at the last minute they decided they would not hold a vote. As you who were at the meeting know, we would have easily won that vote by at least 10 to 1! Instead, for whatever their reasons, Parks and Rec people simply answered questions and allowed comments. The statements, comments and questions you all asked were great — everything you said helped our cause and I’m grateful for what you did. I have already made an appointment to meet very shortly with Roseanne, who is Paula’s boss, to make our case further. I will also be having further discussions with Paula.
We are getting closer to our goal of 6 courts at Eagle Rock. Parks and Rec has admitted publicly that they know how fast our sport is growing and that they know we need more courts right now. They have also said that Eagle Rock is the best place to build those courts. So, they essentially have agreed to our entire case.
Now, we have only one more thing to do — that is to go to the meeting of the Park Commission and make them realize these things too. That meeting will be 2 weeks from today, on July 21. Please start thinking about that meeting, because it will literally be make or break. If they agree to the 6 courts, they will be built very quickly.
Next week, I will write you with further details and thoughts regarding the meeting. But at this point, I want to thank each and every one of you who has worked to help us so far. We are getting there! And, if we stick together and push hard just one more time — we will get there! Thanks again to you all.
Chris Clougherty
President, BPC