At the beginning of the year, a badminton court was set up on the lawn outside the girls’ dorm. It wasn’t anything special — just a flimsy net that blew over in the wind. Nevertheless, students could be seen playing after dinner, and forming teams for tournaments over the weekend.
It was a nice way for students to connect, to bring sports to the top of the hill, and get outside over the weekend.
Unfortunately, the net was taken down, but not before it inspired Masaki Takamatsu, the OVS Student Council Athletic Representative. The badminton net had provided something for students to do together, without having to walk down the hill. The only problem was that it wasn’t sturdy enough.
Masaki’s idea is to build a full-sized beach volleyball court on the lawn outside the girls’ dorm, which is currently not being used. If approved, it will be a fully functioning court with an area to study and socialize, entirely eco-friendly, and built, in majority, by the students themselves.
“Hopefully we can make this happen,” said Masaki. “Hopefully students will actually use this during their free time, and it will become another hangout area where students can socialize and have fun.”
Masaki asked for the aid of fellow student council members, and seniors Keaton Shiffman and ASB President Grant Spencer stepped up to help their fellow council member with the project.
Masaki first presented the idea to Student Council earlier this fall. If approved, the project will be funded by Student Council, and has an estimated cost of about three or four thousand dollars. The plan is for the beach volleyball court to be built by the students, with the help of OVS Maintenance Staff. It is projected to be finished by the end of the school year, but the process is not an easy one.
The first step in the process is to remove all the grass from the lawn, which will be done with the help of a rented machine. The area for the court will be dug three feet below the surface. From there, decomposed gravel will be added to make the pathways, and mulch in the study areas.
As the area will be eco-friendly, the entire area will help to decrease the school’s water consumption. The landscape will be made up of non-invasive drought resistant plants.
Sand will, of course, make up the volleyball court, which also hopes to host a soccer net at each end, and lights to make the court useable at night.
The court is intended to bring together students on the campus, and provide a fun athletic activity. Sports on campus generally take place at the bottom of the hill, either on the field or in the pool. The beach volleyball court will be a way to bring sports to the top of the hill, for students to use during their free time.
“I think it will be a really fun thing for people to do, and it will probably bring more people together,” said senior Carolita Landers. “After volleyball season it will be good for volleyball girls to practice, so they don’t get rusty. I think it’ll be a lot of fun.