Malibu Little League and Malibu AYSO have just been informed by the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District Board of Education that we must start paying an hourly fee to use the fields at local schools. The Board states they are in a “crisis” mode, even if the parcel tax is funded this June. PE may be cut from primary schools as well as non-varsity teams from high schools. One solution for funds is to charge nonprofit youth sports organizations to use their fields. Another option they are discussing is to have these same groups run PE for them. However, as we depend upon volunteers to run our practices and games, I do not see how MLL or AYSO have the ability or mandate to operate school sports programs).
Unfortunately, the amount we would be charged per season is unaffordable, i.e., over $10,000 per season. And we cannot be viewed as a viable source to save public school sports programs. Instead of continuing to use these fields, our options would be to reduce the numbers of teams so that practices and games must fit on Bluffs Park (not even a viable option for AYSO). Another would be to find and/or develop fields outside of the school district lands.
We have two such options. One is the proposed field space at Pt. Dume. This has been the subject of recent City meetings and will be discussed next Tuesday at yet another Planning Commission meeting (where families need to be heard). I personally believe that if Malibu is to grow we need planned growth and the Development Agreement at least presents lower density as well as open space. This field space would be part of that open space.
The other option is to build fields on the land owned by the SMMUSD that is between the new high school football field and the Equestrian Center. A joint effort between the Board, City of Malibu and MLL/AYSO is being considered. But the negative responses from neighbors (again, NIMBYs are the only voices heard by City officials at meetings) has already jeopardized this project before it has officially begun.
So not only are we faced with a shortage of field space for organized sports but the loss of school athletic programs. Please don’t sit back and think someone else will solve this problem for you. Your kids are depending on you to ensure they can stay healthy and active both in and out of school.
If you cannot attend City Council and Planning Commission meetings, then please write a letter to the editor: News Editor, Malibu Times, 3864 Las Flores Canyon, Malibu, CA 90265. Email: malibunews@malibutimes.com. Fax:456-8986
Please speak out and be heard!
Jack Evans, president
Malibu Little League
