CAROLINA BEACH — A month after the Pleasure Island Volleyball Club requested the town’s help in developing new courts for residents, council agreed to find a contractor to create a new space on Cape Fear Boulevard.
At a March 26 council workshop, town leaders unanimously agreed to move forward on staff’s recommendations to contract for a site plan for a new court at 300 Cape Fear Boulevard.
Mayor Lynn Barbee told Port City Daily he did not yet have a schedule or cost for the plan, but is partnering with the club to expedite the process. The club formerly played at Lazy Pirate but the business began removing their courts in 2022, leading the club to request urgency in finding a new location.
PCD reached out to Lazy Pirate to ask why they removed their courts but did not receive a response; town staff noted in the meeting’s agenda the restaurant made the decision as part of its new business plan.
“Staff should have the design work done and to council in the next few weeks,” Barbee told PCD. “Then we will know more.”
Resident Sarah Finn represented the club at the Feb. 13 council meeting to present proposals for developing volleyball courts in the town. She told PCD Wednesday the club remains without a place to play and expressed concerns about the consequences of delaying the development of new space.
“Youth is a huge part of our program,” she said. “We’ve had over 200 youth come through the program in the time it’s been running, so we’d really like to not have a huge gap where we’re missing out on reaching some of those kids for the next couple of years.”
Some club members had played at Captain Bill’s since losing their former location, Finn said, but it has been difficult, due to traveling across town. The group has also considered contacting the county to use courts at Ashley High School as a potential alternative if local developments are delayed. They, however, would need improvements to be suitable for play.
“Just for the larger community, having the ability to have volleyball on our island is huge,” Finn said. “Just to have a family feel. We’re all having fun, joking, playing together. We’ve watched each other develop over the years and welcome new players as they come in.”
A biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, also on the boards of the Carolina Beach Parks and Recreation Committee and the Carolina Beach Beautification Committee, Finn presented the Cape Fear Boulevard court as an immediate solution. She said the club would need an additional court in the future and development of two courts on town-owned property at Lake Park Boulevard — adjacent to the town’s recreation center — would be the ideal long-term solution.
“Right now we’re focusing on getting this court built so we can get back to playing,” Finn said. “But we’re not going to let the town forget about our desire to have more courts.”
Carolina Beach hasn’t finalized long-term plans for its Lake Park Boulevard property; PCD reached out to the town to ask if it has other uses in mind but didn’t receive a response by press.
Barbee said Wednesday the town would like to have two courts but another location isn’t readily available at this time.
This week deputy town manager Ed Parvin presented findings on the court from staff and the technical review committee. They found the community building would need to be unlocked during the court’s hours of operation from 8 a.m to 9 p.m. for bathroom facilities, and recommended light installations be shielded to limit impact on nearby residences.
Staff found the court would require four parking spaces in addition to one handicap space, which could be provided on-site in the community center lot. Parvin noted additional spaces would be necessary if the final development includes a viewing area.
East Coast Volleyball reviewed the site and estimated its cost without lights would be $26,000.
“That’s cheaper than I thought,” council member Mike Hoffer said.
The club’s previous estimate was around $35,000, Finn said, which could be funded by the club’s private donors. Council agreed in February to match private funding from the club at a cap of $40,000, which would require a budget amendment to actualize.
Barbee mentioned the need to hold a community meeting before developing the cour, especially to gather feedback from Katie B. Hines Senior Center. It’s located less than 500 feet from the proposed court.
Mayor Pro Tem Deb LeCompte proposed holding the meeting on site at either the community building or senior center.
In February, Hoffer argued the Cape Fear Boulevard location would be “temporary at best” and predicted nearby residents would be “salty” about lighting in the facility.
Finn noted to PCD there are a few nearby houses, but from her understanding they are short-term rentals.
“Being so close to the central business district, you’re already kind of used to the hustle and bustle,” she said. “So, hopefully we’ll get the support of the neighbors and we’ll incorporate any recommendations that they have.”
Town clerk Kim Ward told Port City Daily she was not aware of any negative feedback from residents to date. Parks and recreation director Eric Jelinski plans to schedule the community meeting with Parvin next week, she added.
Tips or comments? Email journalist Peter Castagno at peter@localdailymedia.com.
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