The CA State Coastal Commission voted last week to
"nix" paid seating at June's AVP Manhattan Beach event,
which has led the AVP to "say they may pull up their nets
and leave local beaches if they cannot charge for all seats
at their tournaments," according to Alan Abrahamson in the
L.A. TIMES. The commission's action "drew a line in the
sand: no charge for an event held on a public beach between
Memorial Day and Labor Day, when demand is at its peak."
But Abrahamson writes that the AVP, in the aftermath of the
Olympics, and "seeking to capitalize on the booming
popularity of beach volleyball," had intended for the first
time at the Manhattan Beach event to charge all adults
admission for weekend seats. Tickets, ranging from $10-60,
went on sale a few weeks ago. The tournament began charging
admission for 25% of the 5,000 seats in '93 after having
totally free admission since its inception in '60. AVP
officials are now "considering their options," which include
holding the event with free seating; moving it off the beach
and trucking in sand; or cancelling the event and offering
refunds. AVP CEO Jerry Solomon: "We need paid seating. The
Manhattan Beach tournament is in its 38th year. We are not
going to allow that tradition to end -- though that does not
necessarily mean it's going to take place on the beaches in
Manhattan Beach" (L.A. TIMES, 5/18).
