Calling All City of Monterey Residents!!

Do you live in the city of Monterey? Or know someone who does? Would you like to have new, dedicated, public courts to play on?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, the Monterey Bay Pickleball Club needs your help.

The Club has proposed the development of 8 dedicated pickleball courts in the city’s Ryan Ranch Park, near the intersection of Highways 218 (Canyon Del Rey) & 68.

Each court would be individually fenced with ample spacing between sidelines and fences for all your "Around-the-Post" shots. 😉 The current concept includes shaded seating for socializing.

To make this a reality, we need the vocal support of Monterey pickleball players and other Montereyans.

In the City of Monterey, projects like this are implemented through the NCIP program. That's the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program. This unique program gives Monterey residents a voice on how hotel tax revenue is spent. While anyone can submit a project, it must be recommended by the NCIP committee for approval by the Monterey City Council. Conceived in part to compensate residents for the impact of the tourist industry, the NCIP committee members want to know that projects are really benefitting Monterey residents.

There may be 100 projects proposed to the NCIP committee each year, so, competition is fierce. There is one NCIP representative and alternate for each of the neighborhoods in Monterey. The current NCIP representatives can be found here.

John Sovereign and Michael Kennedy are Monterey residents leading our pickleball lobbying efforts. Their contact info is below.

John Sovereign jsovereign@pacbell.net

Michael Kennedy kennedybioman@gmail.com

Here are some ways you can help. Your participation and support is greatly appreciated.

1. Email the NCIP committee at engineering-admin@monterey.org and copy John and Michael. Let them know what neighborhood you live in and that you support the NCIP project RR-02 : Ryan Ranch Pickleball Courts. Provide some detail about what pickleball means to you, how it's changed your life, the social and physical benefits you receive, etc. If you don’t know what Monterey neighborhood you live in, you can provide your street address in the email.

2. Let one of the NCIP committee members know that you would like to meet with them to discuss this project. Meeting your neighborhood's NCIP representative over a cup of coffee at Starbucks is a great way to approach this. Or if you prefer, let them know that Michael and John would like to speak with them on your behalf to provide additional information. Then let Michael and John know so they can coordinate with others in your neighborhood. If you know a committee member personally, please let Michael and John know that, too.

3. Attend one of the upcoming NCIP meetings on Thursday, May 11 or June 1. We are looking for Monterey residents or property owners who are willing to to tell their brief (3 minute max) pickleball story at either of these meetings. Please reach out to Michael and John if you can attend. They will be happy to coach you if you want help with your comments. Even if you don't want to speak, one of us will ask all those that have come to the meeting to support this project to stand up or raise their hand. The committee likes to know that there is wide support, but even they don't want to listen to 20 different stories. 😊 If you can attend either of these meetings, please let John and Michael know so we can have a head count. Again, a strong presence will go a long way.

   • These meetings begin at 6 pm in the City Council Chambers located at 580 Pacific Street. Parking is available in the Dutra St. lot behind the building. The meetings may be long. If you prefer, there is a remote attendance option through Zoom or telephone (contact John for details).

Again, please email John and Michael with your street address and how you would like to voice your support. They can figure out who is your NCIP rep and will work with you to move forward.

Lastly, if you don't live in Monterey, please mention this effort to your friends that do. They don't even need to be pickleball players.

Thanks for your help, and as always, see you on the courts!