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From:Kam
To:Public Comments
Subject:EXTERNAL - Public Comment - Support for Pickleball Courts at Las Animas Park
Date:Monday, October 6, 2025 12:27:48 PM
Dear Gilroy City Council,
My name is Kamal Cheema, and I’ve been a resident of Gilroy since 2019. I’m writing to
express my strong support for the construction of six pickleball courts at Las Animas Park.
Gilroy is a growing community, and it’s important that our city invests in facilities that
strengthen local connections and quality of life. While I understand the current budget
constraints, I believe it’s in the City’s long-term financial and social interest to build all six
courts now rather than add two later in response to future demand. Construction and materials
rarely get cheaper over time, and expanding later would likely require duplicative permitting,
design, and mobilization costs that can be avoided with a complete build today.
I’m currently attending a conference where the Mayor of Middleburg, VA spoke about how
his small town invests in community building. He shared how something as simple as a
weekly bingo night brings everyone together, including billionaires and lower-income
residents, and fosters a strong sense of connection and shared pride. His remarks resonated
with me because I’ve seen the same spirit here in Gilroy through pickleball.
When I’ve played at Las Animas in the past, we’ve used temporary or pop-up courts that
require players to bring and set up their own nets and equipment. It takes time, relies on
individuals to shoulder those costs, and depends on one or two people bringing everything
each time. Despite those challenges, people continue to show up out of a shared desire for
connection - parents of young children, longtime homeowners, and newer residents who were
drawn to Gilroy for its small-town feel and sense of belonging. Pickleball has become one of
the few truly intergenerational, community-driven activities where people of all backgrounds
connect, support each other, and take pride in this city that stands apart from the bustle of
Silicon Valley.
By investing in these six courts, the City is investing in Gilroy’s identity as a connected,
welcoming community. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued efforts to
make Gilroy a great place to live.
Sincerely,
Kamal Cheema
Gilroy Resident since 2019