nsp tournament072010%5d

8/9/2019 NSP Tournament072010%5D

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Re: Not So Pro Volleyball Tournament Grand Bend July 22-26/10

CONCERNS and COMPLAINTS

1. SET UP –On Thurs. July 22 at approx. 10am setting up began on an area that had

been prepared by the municipal tractor south of the condos on the North Beach. Themunicipality delivered many rolls of snow fencing, posts and garbage containers.

NSP employees erected the fencing throughout the day and with it cordoned off over

2/3 of the beach. Only after complaining about access to Community Services, did

they provide two access ways through the fencing to the water. Beach goers were

noticeably annoyed by having their normal access to the water blocked. On Fri. the

nets were set up. WHY DID IT TAKE TWO FULL DAYS TO SET UP AND BLOCK

NORMAL ACCESS TO THE BEACH? By the time the tournament began on Sat

morning, at least 3\4 of the North Beach was being used by NSP players,

administrators and supporters.

Visitors from France were appalled that anyone could allow such a thing to happen on

such a beautiful beach! Many communities throughout the world protect their

beaches with a passion. We sell ours off to the lowest bidder!!!

2. PARKING –Hundreds of participants and supporters arrived early Sat morning, and

along with NSP trucks took up both beach parking lots by 9 am. Many parked near the

condos and had permits in their windows (Does this mean that they were not charged

for parking?)

As a result for the next two days tourists and regular beachgoers were

disadvantaged by having to find parking somewhere else.

3. SPIN OFF MYTH- Most players and supporters brought tents, beach chairs and

coolers and by the time they were set up, the area being used took up 3\4 of the

beach. This meant that normal beach goers and tourists were restricted to a narrow

strip along the water, which by the way was also taken up by many volley ball players

warming up.

In talking to a number of participants we learned that, they brought food and drink in

their coolers (one tent was set up with batteries and blenders) and seldom left the

beach to participate in the alleged economic spin-off. Attesting to that, by 6 pm when



the tournament finished on Sat. and Sun., there were no cars in the parking lots and

hardly anyone on the main street.

Other than for some rooms rented, which would probably have been rented anyway,

and some drinks sold at one or two bars, the economic spin off of such activities is a

delusion. Every weekend all the hotels and motels are filled as it is and the Chamberis phoning around for extra accommodations. Many other main street businesses

reported little or no business from volley ball players or associates. Indeed we could

make a good argument for the counter economic productivity of such an event

because of the large number of parking spots taken up, the many disgruntled visitors

who left and regular beach users who knew the tournament was on and stayed away.

Many locals just avoid the area on that particular weekend knowing what is in store

for them.

John Morrison, the owner, claims that his event has brought approx $800,000 to the

community since its inception but we question what economic study he is using

besides the Morrison “Pull It Out of the Hat” Study. The one thing that it has brought is

big profits to NSP. John also claims that his company gives local charities thousands

of dollars but in fact he gives to one service club only, and we suspect nepotism in

this regard. The strongest proponents of the event are members of this club, major

sponsors for the event, operate the beer and food tent and are one of the few

businesses that receive any “spin off” (mostly in alcohol sales later in the evening)

On normal weekends this summer, the village has been packed with cars and people

without volleyball, so why the argument for increased tourism! We suspect that the

bottom line for proponents has to do with “greed”, disregard and disrespect for their

fellow constituents (many of whom ironically have been long time supporters of these

businesses).

4. EVENT APPLICATION AND SITE PLAN – Having acquired a copy of the event

application and the site plan, we found it to be very general and incomplete, allowingalmost free reign by the organizers. There were 18 courts, a beer garden, an admin.

tent and a sponsors tent. A “detailed scaled site drawing” was required but not

supplied.



Shockingly the cost to NSP was approx $800 for the 4 days(not including electrical

hook up ) and they will have walked out with over $50,000 from fees and

sponsorships in their pockets!!

5. NOISE ETC- Speakers were less intrusive at the north end of the beach this year but

very intrusive with the constant pounding of music at the south end and especially for

the condo residents. One beach front resident found the constant noise so

unbearable that they spent the weekend inside with windows closed. Others simply

left town for the weekend.

6.

Horn blowing throughout the tournament was intrusive everywhere. Even resident of

Oakwood commented on it. They blew boating type fog horns twice per game to

begin and end each one all day long (approx 72 times per day).The DJ was as loudand obnoxious as last year and continued to make sexual innuendos over the

speakers throughout the tournament. Condo residents also reported noise from

partying in the dunes beside the condos all night which may or may not have been

volley ball players.

7. CLEAN UP - After NSP had left on Mon., the beach area where the fencing had been,

was full of hundreds of plastic ties which the organizers just cut and left behind (We

saved a bag and have photos, but we would suspect that many remain buried in thesand). On reporting this to the MNR and the MOE, they both indicated that this was

irresponsible but that it was a municipal issue. We also suspect that Blue Flag or the

Health Department would not be too happy about this.

We would also suspect that the income from the event did not come close to the

expenses by the municipality which included extra man hours for grading the site,

hauling fencing and garbage cans to and from the site, emptying extra garbage cans

throughout the tournament, extra wear and tear on the washrooms along with the

extra cost of water, toilet paper, sewage, and municipal administration etc.

8. A HEALTHY ACTIVITY FOR LOCAL YOUTH AND ADULTS?- This is a fallacious

argument made by proponents since very few locals participate.



9. CONCLUSION- It is our strong feeling that NSP NOT be sanctioned to operate their

tournament on any Grand Bend beach in the future. This is an irresponsible for profit

business that provides little economic spin off (for

other than a few “preferred” businesses), and takes up a large part of a public beach

for a “private” event. Almost the entire North Beach became unavailable to residents, free play enthusiasts and visitors for 4 days, and this is a travesty!!!!!

Respectfully Submitted by Ed Fluter and the Lambton Shores Community Association

Executive on behalf of the members.

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