Our beloved Bobby Riggs is at risk, join us at city hall on Wednesday January 22 at 6 PM to support!
Please join us next Wednesday at Encinitas City Hall (505 S Vulcan Ave).
What: Bobby Riggs Pickleball Club is at risk of losing its ability to operate at full capacity due to permit issues and noise concerns. Join your pickleball community at the next Encinitas City Council to encourage the council to work with Bobby Riggs to find a solution that allows BR to operate at full capacity while simultaneously addressing the permitting issues and noise concerns.
Where:Encinitas City Council • 505 S Vulcan Ave
When: Wednesday January 22 • 6p
Who: YOU! We need maximum turnout to impress upon the council how vital Bobby Riggs is to our community.
What: Public comment talking points
You can also submit comments electronically if you prefer not to speak publicly by visiting:
https://www.encinitasca.gov/i-want-to/requests-hub/comment-on-an-agenda-item
On agenda item: put public comments
If your comments are longer then 2000 characters upload instead
Or email city council directly at:
City manager:
If you have a Bobby Riggs hat or shirt, pls consider wearing or a pro pickleball shirt
Talking points:
Share why Bobby Riggs Pickleball is an integral part of the Encinitas community that needs to remain open at full operation & what it personally means to you:
Community building - people from all demographics and backgrounds - Youth, seniors, families. When we see so much divisiveness in our country and communities, pickleball brings people together.
Physical health & mental health - many people began playing pickleball during Covid which was a respite from isolation, mental health concerns, and a way to exercise in a safe outdoor environment
Philanthropy - Bobby Riggs hosts countless tournaments that supports our local nonprofits, as well as hosts pickleball lessons for underserved communities
Bobby Riggs Gives Encinitas Relevance in the Pickleball world - pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the nation and cities all over the country are trying to keep up with the demand. BR is one of the nicest and largest facilities in San Diego
Economic benefits - as mentioned people from all over SD county come to Bobby Riggs to play pickleball and patron our local economy - restaraunts, coffee shops, etc.
Alleviates city of need to build more courts - the demand for more courts continues to grow. A public court like Pointsettia Park in Carlsbad with 6 courts can have upwards of 50 people waiting to play for up to 30-40 minutes at any time between 8a-10p. Nearby cities like Carlsbad are investing in building more public courts due to lack of large clubs like Bobby Riggs. Having a private club alleviates Encinitas from needing to spend public tax dollars on building courts versus the countless projects identified by the Infrastructure Task Force
Support small local business: the existing council are either small business owners or ran on a campaign to champion and uplift small business in Encinitas. Small businesses are the heart of our community and we must work together to protect them and support their success. Bobby Riggs is asking for the support in the form of more time to address the issues brought forth.
Talking Points 2 - Solution / Ask
The applicant (Bobby Riggs) is willing to make changes and has submitted an application to address the Use Permit issues. The City should expedite that process. It does not make sense to require the facility to address the noise issues until it can be sure that the pickleball courts are found to conform to the original approvals or a user permit modification is processed.
The applicant (Steve Dawson) needs to be given time. The facility has operated for a couple of years as is and should be allowed to continue while the City processes its application. To force the removal of courts from use will negatively impact the business such that it may not have the financial wherewithal to install the noise mitigation features necessary to meet code requirements. Thus affecting the short and long term ability to remain open.