September 17, 2020

An Update from the Palos Verdes Youth Basketball League

Dear PVYBL Families: 

We hope all of you are doing well and staying safe during this unusual time. Many of you have asked about our League’s plans for the upcoming season. 

Rest assured that PVYBL is just as anxious as you are to get back on the court. Your Board has been working hard to stay on top of all national, state and local health directives and guidelines and has been in touch with the school district regarding facilities use. 

We are currently unable to determine when we will be able to offer youth basketball programs. Current county health requirements would not allow us to offer a traditional program, although there is some possibility of a very scaled-down version. Also, at this time the school district is taking a cautious approach and is not issuing permits for any outside sports leagues of any kind to use any district facilities. Guidelines are constantly changing, so there is some possibility that both county and district requirements may be relaxed in the near future.

As soon as the Board believes we can offer a compliant program we will let you know. We remain optimistic!    In the meantime, remember that basketball is one of the few sports that can be practiced without a playing partner. Please encourage your child to practice shooting and dribbling in the backyard, driveway or wherever you can. We can’t wait to see all those smiling young faces back on the court!   Until then, please stay safe and keep healthy. 

January 20, 2020

Vote Yes on Measure PV

The greatest challenge our league faces is finding sufficient gym time so our kids can learn basketball, sportsmanship, and life lessons in a safe and positive environment. The PVP School District has been a great partner by allowing us to use their gyms. But there just isn’t enough gym time to go around, which is why we sometimes have 30 or more kids playing in a gym at the same time. And why we sometimes have to reschedule games due to conflicts with High School activities.

Measure PV includes funding to build new gymnasiums at PV schools, greatly increasing our access to gym space and allowing us to serve more kids in a better environment.

As a result, Measure PV would direct benefit PVYBL and all enrolled kids, which is why the Board encourages you to consider voting “Yes”.

And while the prospect of new gyms is a directly benefit to the League, there are other tangible benefits to all PV homeowners. Voting Yes on Measure PV will help maintain our excellent schools, which leads to high property values, protects our investments, and makes this community a great place to live.

Our schools average 60 years old, and most have not been renovated in almost twenty years. As you may know, the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District receives a below-average portion of state funding. Budgets are strained. The quality of our facilities has already fallen below our neighboring districts, all of which invest more in their schools. Passing this measure will guarantee that one hundred percent of the funds go directly back to our schools, with complete local control of how the money is spent. A citizens’ oversight committee will be appointed from members of this community to review and audit all spending.   

Funds will go towards retrofitting school buildings to meet new statewide seismic codes and improving earthquake safety; increasing access to safe, good quality drinking water; updating fire safety and security systems; complying with the Americans With Disabilities Act; repairing deteriorating school roofs; and replacing outdated plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.

We recognize this is an unusual message to receive from your recreational sports league, but we believe Measure PV will provide tangible benefits to the League and its participants. 

Thanks for your support, and we look forward to seeing you all in the gym!