HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2025-09-09_11a Supplemental 3
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Jessica Matson, Director of Legislative & Information Services/
City Clerk
SUBJECT: Supplemental Information No. 3
Agenda Item 11.a. - September 9, 2025 City Council Meeting
Soto Sports Complex Master Plan and Pickleball Multi-Use Court
Request Discussion
DATE: September 9, 2025
Attached is additional correspondence received by 2 pm for the above referenced item.
cc: City Manager
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
Director of Recreation Services
City Attorney
City Clerk
City Website and Public Review Binder
Enc
From:Colleen Thompson
To:City Council; Matt Downing; Jessica Matson; Bill Robeson
Subject:Item 11a
Date:Tuesday, September 9, 2025 10:28:07 AM
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Dear Council,
I am writing to you about Item 11a on your agenda for the September 9 meeting. It will be to
discuss the possibility of converting two tennis courts into pickleball courts. I am currently on
the Arroyo Grande Central Coast Women's tennis team. This tennis team has existed for over
35 years. We are proud to play at a public park and not a country club. Many people only have
tennis available to them by using the public parks. Country Clubs and Racquet Clubs are not a
financial option for many of us. We compete against Paso Robles Racquet Club, Templeton
Tennis Ranch , SLO Country Club, Avila Bay Athletic Club and Sinsheimer Park. We use the
courts every Wednesday for either a match or practice and we also have a group that practices
every Friday. During those days the courts are full. Also the courts are being used for lessons
and summer clinics for children. This gives Arroyo Grande citizens the opportunity to play
tennis. Our taxpayer dollars are supporting us as a community. Our area has already lost tennis
courts to pickleball: Mentone Park and Shell Beach.
I have nothing against pickleball and feel that we can exist together. I have played many
sports and I have never seen another sport take over another sport's field. This has created
animosity that does not need to be there. There is talk among both tennis players and
pickleball players that the empty lot up top near the old administration building be used to
build new courts. Please consider this as a viable option.
Dr. Howard S. T. Levine, a professor and sports cardiologist, noted a large study's findings
on the impressive longevity benefits of tennis, saying " Playing tennis can extend your life
expectancy 9.7 years, more than any other activity measured."
Thank you for your consideration on this matter,
Colleen Thompson