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Board hears safety concerns about rec center bleachers; staff to run trial changes
Summary
Board members raised safety concerns about the retractable bleachers at the main gym and asked staff to block the top tier, trial moving player benches under baskets and enforce signage; staff agreed to test changes at an upcoming Saturday event.
Board members raised safety concerns about the retractable bleachers in the main gym, saying top tiers and proximity to the baselines create hazards for players and spectators.
"So we need to figure something out there before somebody gets hurt," a Committee member said, urging action after a recent game where people were sitting in upper rows and space near baselines was tight. Staff explained mechanical constraints that limit how many tiers can safely extend and said some signage is already posted.
Staff and Agency official proposed short-term mitigations: clearly block the top tier, encourage spectators to sit closer together lower down, and trial placing player benches under the baskets to allow additional bleacher travel where it is safe. A staff member said they would "take a look" and try the player-bench arrangement at the coming Saturday's games.
Board members also discussed staffing and crowd management during busy weekend tournaments; staff described Saturday staffing levels (scorekeepers and facility staff) and agreed to assess whether rotation or additional staffing could help corral crowds away from unsafe areas.
No formal resolution or vote was taken; the board requested staff report back after the Saturday trial and, if needed, propose physical mitigations or policy language to prohibit use of unsafe top tiers.
