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Board hears Wrightwood joint-use proposal; trustees raise liability, equity and fundraising questions
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Summary
Snowline trustees heard a community-driven proposal for two pickleball courts and a regulation basketball court at Wrightwood Elementary under a joint-use agreement with Wrightwood CSD and the Wrightwood Property Owners Association; trustees asked for clearer fundraising commitments, maintenance plans and cost estimates before any district capital outlay.
At an information item the board reviewed a joint-use proposal to refurbish upper-field blacktop areas at Wrightwood Elementary into two pickleball courts and a regulation-size basketball court. Board member Behringer described the grassroots partnership: Wrightwood Property Owners Association and Wrightwood Community Services District would partner with Snowline to expand recreational programming on school grounds under the existing joint-use agreement.
Bill Flynn and Member Behringer said preliminary estimates ranged from about $100,000 (initial two-area plan) to $145,000 or $150,000 for the fuller scope; the attachment in the meeting packet included a proposed property-owners contribution of $50,000 and a $7,700 annual maintenance pledge. Trustees emphasized the figures were preliminary and urged more detailed scope work and a fundraising plan before the district would consider fronting capital.
Concerns raised by multiple trustees included equity (is Wrightwood the right place compared with other communities that lack parks), liability and oversight for after-hours public use, who would open/close gates, and whether the district should be the primary funder. Trustee Crystal (member Martinez) said the district has schools needing basic facilities such as restrooms and urged caution about mission creep; other trustees said the district's history of joint-use partnerships made the proposal plausible if community partners firmed up commitments.
The presentation did not request approval. Trustees suggested inviting Wrightwood CSD and Property Owners Association representatives to the board's next meeting (target date provided) with a clearer financial plan, hours-of-operation rules, a maintenance agreement and documented fundraising milestones. Flynn noted the district previously received an attached scope that included a proposed $50,000 fundraising target and a $7,700 annual maintenance commitment, but said leadership changes in local CSDs warranted additional follow-up before bringing an action.
No formal vote was taken; the board asked staff to return the item with clarified cost estimates, fundraising commitments and operational rules if the partners request a future district contribution.
