The right decision

The Agoura Hills City Council had planned to construct three tennis courts without lights, restrooms and basketball courts with poured concrete over the majority of the grassy area in Morrison Park. Despite our opposite positions, I had the pleasure of working with the City Council and the city staff to find other alternatives for use of the money.

I proposed putting the money into the nine dilapidated tennis courts at Agoura High School which already have the benefit of lights paid for by the city years ago. The proposed, nearly $400,000 AHS renovation would include resurfacing the courts, new chain link fencing, windscreens, nets, upgraded and additional lights, security gate, plus stadium/ bleacher seating complete with city and high school logos. I was shocked to learn that LVUSD did not appear nearly as receptive with the renovation opportunity. One issue that nearly KO'd the entire deal was LVUSD's demand of facility use fees from the city- the very same entity that would make the renovation possible- for the public to use the courts after school hours in exchange for the city's investment. Always hearing how our schools need funds, it's very hard to comprehend that an entity who is receiving a generous grant of unsolicited money would then "negotiate" the terms of the gift. However, after all was finally said and done, an agreement with LVUSD actually materialized and The City Council voted to move forward with the AHS improvement.

Kudos to our council for stepping up to the plate and putting their money and their votes where their concern is- providing recreation while also improving our educational facilities for years to come. Way to go! Noel Gyro Agoura Hills