LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport City Council unanimously approved changing a portion of Westside Park’s Phase II from a BMX track and skate park to a sand handball court and BMX pump track Tuesday.
A BMX pump track is a smaller than a full track and is used more for practice than competition. A pump track would also cost less and require less maintenance, according to Westside Community Parks Committee Chair Dennis Rollins.
As for the originally proposed skate park, both the council and Rollins agreed that it would need to be more centrally located within the city.
The Lake County Team Handball group, who proposed the change, will have six months to provide documentation to the city. Design plans, funding and the construction of the courts will also be discussed between the group and city staff. Funding for the project is the responsibility of the group.
The group met with the Westside Park Committee throughout the year until a plan was developed and unanimously approved on April 1, Rollins said. It was then presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 2 and approved.
“This would be the first permanent court for this sport in the U.S.,” Lake County Team Handball member Adam Newell told the council.
A total of three courts are proposed with spectator area, the courts can also be used for other beach related sports. The courts are approximately the size of a basketball court, Newell said.
“These courts will be available for everyone,” Public Works Superintendent Doug Grider said.
According to Newell, the sport is a mixture of polo, soccer and hockey played by a teams of four on a sand court. The purpose of the game is to pass a rubber ball – which varies in size to accommodate men, women and children – to score goals located at the each end of the court. The sport is fast-paced and no contact is allowed.
Furthermore, the group plans to hold tournaments and reach out to schools for participation in the sport.
This is the second addition to the park in as many months, with the council unanimously approving the addition of a disc golf course in June.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
