Playing badminton in Valencia, CA

[baddyfan]

Hello Folks,
Are there members residing in Valencia (northern suburb of los angeles) who would like to play badminton in Valencia. I have found a gym (at center pointe parkway) which has facility of badminton courts.
Please let me know if there would be folks interested to play then we can just book the courts (fee is based "hourly" court use and not per person).
Thank you!

[wickeddrop]

How much is it? I live in Northridge but i may be interested if there is a decent turnout.

[baddyfan]

Hi,
It is probably $7 for the court per hour. I can confirm and let you know. Thanks.

[wickeddrop]

How many courts and is it a dedicated or shared with basketball court?

[pramana]

I like the ideas, but there are some questions:

1. How many courts are available?
2. What is the day and time available (consistent schedule or based on availability)?
3. Are the court nets & poles available or members have to bring the equipments?

As you know, the Valley College gym is currently closed. The Pierce College is only available on Saturday evening, which is beyond capacity (6 courts only with 50 or more players are waiting consistently :crying:).

[baddyfan]

I will try to gather all info and post it.Thanks

[pramana]

If this is the address:
George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex
20870 Centre Pointe Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA.

I am sorry to say, it is no longer available. There are only squash, basketball and volleyball.

[baddyfan]

That's bad luck then! :(

[pramana]

If you are seriously looking for the options, you probably can contact the Canyon College Sport & Recreation Department or discuss your intention to the coaches or maintenance crews in there for one or two days in a week for few hours of badminton. Evening time is pretty empty, except basketball season.

The indoor gym in there has badminton lines on the floor. I have the feeling it has the poles and net, if needed.

I also think it will be easier, if you can gather some signatures from students in that college to support your proposal, plus you are a resident of the community :cool:

[wickeddrop]

pramana,

Do you live in the valley?

[pramana]

Yes, I live in the Valley.

The following is my assumption to approach this proposal (probably it is excessive, but I think it is the appropriate way ;):
Survey the gym for at least two weeks. See if your "time-schedule" is already been taken by other activities.
Gathered some signatures, especially the students and it is better if you can get from professors, faculties, alumni etc. You may start by posting flayer/ notes on campus with your phone numbers/ emails.
Once you have enough signatures (probably on the beginning you can get 10 or more), approach any of coaches (they could be basketball, baseball, etc) and communicate your intention. See their reactions and feedbacks.
Visit the office of Dean of Sport & Recreation and schedule an appointment. Talk to some staff members for this kind of projects, if any of them had heard or done before.
If you get the appointment, you may bring some of the students/ faculties who signed your petitions to support your proposal.
Do not scare to open the "mouth" if you are willing to pay (you can calculate from "playing" fees). Do not bargain yet at this points. We are only gathering information at this stage.
If there is rejection, asking what can we do to overcome the rejection and move on to the next topics. Do not argue and stay on the rejected topics.Note: Of course, the opening speech is pretty brief, that you want to develop healthy communities by providing one type of sports which the students and residents are looking to play in the area, but there is no facilities available, except this gym...
The rest is using your charms and smiles :)

Good Luck!

[pramana]

I contacted some local high schools in Valencia area and found out the following school is available:

Saugus High School
9 reviews - Write a review (https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=local&hl=en&nui=1&continue=http://maps.google.com/maps%3Fie%3DUTF8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26q%3Dsanta%2Bclarita%2Bhigh%2Bschool%26fb%3D1%2 6view%3Dtext%26hl%3Den%26latlng%3D1123077187384458 8478%26ei%3DtPquSKLNJ4jgrQLHuMipCQ%26dtab%3D2%26ac tion%3Dopen)

21900 Centurion Way
Saugus, CA 91350

(661) 297-3900‎
(661) 297-7491‎ - Fax

According to the Athletic Director, there are 4 indoor courts available. I am currently arranging the time table for the availability of these courts for badminton.

1st, I need to know how many of you are interested to join this new club?
2nd, What is your preferred schedule? I like Saturday or Sunday afternoon or evening.

PM me or email me to confirm your participation!

Issue: The system is like a voting. If we can gather large participants, we will be put on the higher lists to book the courts (of course below school events/ activities). So, we have to come out with decent numbers or participants to convince them if this program will be a consistent event.

Thanks,

[roncast152]

Hi, i just joined the group and live in castaic.

I played badminton in high school i was wondering if you guys ended up getting the gym?

[pramana]

Well, there are two high school gyms in Valencia/ Saugus area, which have badminton court lines. After delay and multiple emails correspondences, I finally got to the last hurdle which I cannot solve myself.

The city is asking for US$1 million dollar liability insurance (see attached file). In addition, there will be facility usage fees, which I was told by the school to be around $300.00 per usage.

So, if you can help me to get the liability insurance, I will pursuit the process again and hope it will be no other big hurdle.

thanks,

[ctjcad]

..contacting another BC member, harimau. I believe he was able to "rent" a public school's gym for badminton usage (in O.C.). Not sure though about the process, as different cities/counties/school districts may require different set of rules/restrictions.
But just know that, in CA/U.S., in general, there will be strict rules/requirements (esp. for liability/insurance), for a public facility usage, which we have to adhere to.

Hope, that'll help a bit. Sorry, wish to help further.:(
But best of luck in securing the facility usage & hope to hear more good news!

[pramana]

Well, the process is getting complicated :rolleyes:.
After discussing the concern of liability insurance to "Harimau", I received another email from the city asking for copy of the 501 3c letter from the IRS showing Non-Profit status in order to keep the cost to custodial OT.

Does anyone familiar with this 501 3c paperwork?

PM me or let me know...

Thanks

[musicistheflow]

Hello.

I just joined, and live in Valencia. My wife and I have been dying to play, but find it too incovenient to go all the way to Pierce or Valley College. Was there still any opportunity to set up at College of the Canyons?

[pramana]

Hi Music:

Checkout Saugus High School Gym. Try to talk to coaches if you can use the side court for badminton. There is a screen divider in there, which will not disturb the basketball or volleyball training, in case they are in season.

If you can reserve consistent time and day, I may be able to pull some players to join you.

Good Luck!

[fahm1]

Hi guys and gals..

Any news/updates on this? I just moved to the area and looking to play but no luck on that.

Thanks!

[pramana]

Fahm,

Please contact the principal of this high school and see if you have better luck:
Saugus High School
9 reviews - Write a review (https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=local&hl=en&nui=1&continue=http://maps.google.com/maps%3Fie%3DUTF8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26q%3Dsanta%2Bclarita%2Bhigh%2Bschool%26fb%3D1%2 6view%3Dtext%26hl%3Den%26latlng%3D1123077187384458 8478%26ei%3DtPquSKLNJ4jgrQLHuMipCQ%26dtab%3D2%26ac tion%3Dopen)

21900 Centurion Way
Saugus, CA 91350

(661) 297-3900‎
(661) 297-7491‎ - Fax

[allybe]

Hi Im just staying in Valencia for 4 weeks and would love to get a few games of badminton with intermediate players. Did the link to Saugus School come good for anyone here? Are any of you playing regularly?

[lufeilin]

Hi:
Any one know where we can play badminton in Santa Calrita area?
Please let me know. Thanks!
Lufei

[rsumale]

Hi guys and gals..

Any news/updates on this? I just moved to the area and looking to play but no luck on that.

Thanks!

I'm looking for players myself. I know we can use the basketball court or racquetball court at the sports complex near the acquatic center in Santa Clarita. Have you already found a group to play?

[rsumale]

Hi there. I just called the Santa Clarita sports complex and they rent out 2 of their racquetball courts for 7$ an hour per person on weekdays and $9 on the weekends. Do you have a regular group that you play with? I'm trying to put a group together to play with if you're interested. Hope to get replies regarding this:)

[pramana]

The squash/ racketball courts are not wide enough. Plus the lights are too bright.

If you are serious to gather badminton player, please visit Saugus High School. Try to get availability schedule for coaches/ school principal. The gym has good facility for badminton and screen divider which separates the badminton courts to the basketball/ volleyball courts.

[rsumale]

thanks for the tip. Have you played there before? Do you know anyone who plays there?

[Newhall12]

I will try to gather all info and post it.Thanks


:D Is there a group in Santa Clarita that plays regularly? If so, how frequently do you play?

Many thanks for your reply. I am hoping there is as my husband and I would play regularly!

Regards,

Newhall12

[octina]

Hello, I was wondering if there is already a group or some individuals that would want to get together to play badminton in the valencia/santa clarita? I only play for fun and used to play a lot years ago. Thanks!

[pramana]

Until we are confirmed to get steady schedule to play in certain gym, it is unlikely there is a group in the area.

I had tried to apply for permanent schedule (weekend especially) in Saugus High School, but suddenly the school district is getting involved on my proposal. As expected, they played hard games by wanting me to provide unrealistic proof of liability insurance (US$1 million), plus an IRS documents which show if my group is not a profit organization :rolleyes:

I am not sure why it is so difficult to get access for this sport?

[octina]

Thanks pramana!

Sorry to hear that you had to go through all that.....I agree, why does it have to be so difficult? An option is to get a net and place it somewhere at a park, but I prefer the solid ground of a gym. :confused:

[pramana]

If you are serious to play, you may join us at Pierce College on Saturday around 6:00PM -11:00PM.
Otherwise, you may join Los Angeles Valley College or Santa Monica College around late afternoon on Sunday.

[octina]

I may have to do that one of these Saturdays, pramana! Thanks for the invite. Wish there was one closer, but :rolleyes:.....How many are in your group? You guys are probably a lot better than me. I just love to play...

[berniebrook]

Hi, please add our family to the list of interested parties. We have a 15 year old son attending Saugus High who is interested in playing.

[pramana]

Bernie:

Since your son is attending the SHS, can you help us by talking to the coaches to arrange probably 3-4 hours per day of a evening week to use the gym for badminton?

I think it is easier to pull the schedule from the inside, rather than we apply the permit and get kick-around again?

[Newhall12]

Hey Guys:

The liability insurance would run ~$600 per year. If we played once a week it amounts to $11.54 per week. Depending upon how many play, we could divide it evenly. If we had six couples, it would amount to approximately $2/couple per week. It would be ~$25 a quarter per couple based upon quarterly premiums. We could also base it per person since there will be singles wanting to play, too.

Someone else will need to research the 501 (c)(3) issue. Hope this helps! (My husband is in corporate risk management and obtained the quote for me.)

[berniebrook]

It is my intention to talk with my son's PE couch and maybe even a couple of the administration about SHS forming a badminton team and the possibility of outsiders using the facility. (I don't have high hopes for non-students to gain access... but who knows) It will have to wait until school is back in session next month.

[BadFanLa]

Hello Folks,

I am a new member to this forum. My wife and I have been playing badminton for a few months now and would love to have a facility close to home to play. Last year I had talked to the Athletic Director at College of the Canyons in Valencia, and he had suggested I talk to one of his assistants. Since then I have contacted the SCBA ( Southern California Badminton Assoc) and the VP has sent me an e-mail today, suggesting that I formulate a list of atleast 40 people, preferably local residents who are interested in playing on a regular basis. We would need the Name address and contact information of all person interested, so as to do a petetion. He woul help us get the ball rolling, as he has done several such locations;
most recently they have added a facility in Calabasas. This sort of stuff takes time and has to go through the right channels, but if SCBA is succesfull we will have a facility in Valencia. I need help in getting this info and passing it on the VP of SCBA...:)

[pramana]

College of Canyon does not have badminton court lines inside the gym. There are two high schools in the valley which have badminton court lines, Saugus and Valencia.

[BadFanLa]

COC had Badminton classes for beginners last year in their schedule of classes. One of the picture I came acrosss in their newsletter shows the Taping done on the gym floor. Although I haven't personally visited the inside of the facility, I have been told by SCBA, that once the facility gives us the permission, taping of court floor could be done. Of all the facilities I know of in So cal, none is a High school. But since you have mentioned it, I will let SCBA know that two High schools ion this area have this. Lets see how they want to proceed. Any suggestions on gathering and formulating an interest list for use in petition?

[pramana]

If you followed my previous posts, there were two issues stopped me from pursuing this project:

The city of Santa Clarita asked me to provide IRS documents if we were non-profit organization, since we gathered a group of people to perform activities, which in this case is badminton sports. Otherwise, the city will charge $$$ to reserve the gym per event.
$1 millions dollars liability insurances address to the gym.There were other minors clauses, which I was not too concerns.

So, let me know if there is anything I can assist you to pursuit this project again ;)

[BadFanLa]

Thanks. I will pass this info to SCBA. SCBA is a non profit organization and has been around for a long time. You can visit them on the web at www.scba.org. I am positive they must have come across these issues in the opening of other facilities such as Pierce college and Calabasas.

My immedeate task and concern is the collection of name, address and contact information to pass on to SCBA. I will need some local help with this.

[MattyCob]

Hello Everyone,

I play at the Santa Clarita sports complex - they have badminton nets in the racquetball courts (its not the best set up, but it lets me get my badminton fix).

I was wondering if anyone was interested in starting a badminton club, or at least if someone wants to play. I am intermediate/advanced (im guessing) and would love some more people to play with since I only have one other friend who plays with me.

Let me know if anyone is interested. Thanks.

[wickeddrop]

Hello Everyone,

I play at the Santa Clarita sports complex - they have badminton nets in the racquetball courts (its not the best set up, but it lets me get my badminton fix).

I was wondering if anyone was interested in starting a badminton club, or at least if someone wants to play. I am intermediate/advanced (im guessing) and would love some more people to play with since I only have one other friend who plays with me.

Let me know if anyone is interested. Thanks.

I know its a bit of a drive for you, but if you can come to West LA on Mondays and Wednesday nights at Mar vista rec center, you can get your badminton fix then. It only cost $5 and all the feathered shuttles are provided for you. Wide range of players from beginners to intermediate to advanced.

[MattyCob]

Thanks for the info - but like you said - I really rather not drive for an hour + to play some badminton.

But I appreciate the info!

[trvlgrl]

It seems like the only place to play here is at the SC Sports Complex using their racquetball court. :( It's better than having to drive into the valley or other areas in LA. :crying: I'd love to play at least twice a week. :)

[wickeddrop]

Playing at a racquetball court is not even worth it for me....i mean...its too narrow and you dont even have the correct lines. SC aint that far from the valley...make the trek and come experience some real badminton :)

[SCVMalaysian]

I know this posting is old but did you guys ever happened to form a B-Club, and did you start playing here. I am looking for people to play with in Santa Clarita/Newhall/Valencia. I live in Valencia.

Thanks.

Raju


Hello Folks,

I am a new member to this forum. My wife and I have been playing badminton for a few months now and would love to have a facility close to home to play. Last year I had talked to the Athletic Director at College of the Canyons in Valencia, and he had suggested I talk to one of his assistants. Since then I have contacted the SCBA ( Southern California Badminton Assoc) and the VP has sent me an e-mail today, suggesting that I formulate a list of atleast 40 people, preferably local residents who are interested in playing on a regular basis. We would need the Name address and contact information of all person interested, so as to do a petetion. He woul help us get the ball rolling, as he has done several such locations;
most recently they have added a facility in Calabasas. This sort of stuff takes time and has to go through the right channels, but if SCBA is succesfull we will have a facility in Valencia. I need help in getting this info and passing it on the VP of SCBA...:)