Agreement Reached on Volleyball Tourney

Manhattan Beach officials on Tuesday unveiled an agreement with the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals that calls for the tournament promoter to fully subsidize the annual Manhattan Beach Open and limits the number of spectators who may attend the event.

Under the agreement, the association will be allowed to charge admission for all seats at the 35-year-old tournament, compared with just 25% of seating in the past. The event attracts more than 12,000 people but under the new agreement the promoter will be allowed to provide only 6,000 seats.

“The event has had a big impact on residents and businesses,” said Mayor Pro Tem Joan Jones. “By downsizing we felt we would have more control over the operation of the event and prevent overcrowding.”

Residents and beach goers have been feuding with city officials since the organization sponsored professional tournaments in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach last summer. The group protested at the events because the volleyball courts were fenced off and beach access was limited.

Protesters took their concerns to the California Coastal Commission last week and argued that during the summer the 20 events held between the neighboring beach cities attract more people than the cities can accommodate.

Jones contends that the agreement, which requires the volleyball association to give the city 20% of its net receipts, should allay many public concerns.

The contract, which will be presented to the City Council next Tuesday and must be approved by the state Coastal Commission, calls for less obstructive barriers and requires the association to allow free seating during the preliminary matches on the first two days of the four-day tournament.