LOCKER TALK

Acting on a citizen complaint, officials shut down
Skater’s Point for a couple of hours on Friday
because dozens of skaters were not wearing the required knee pads,
elbow pads, and helmets. A City Parks department ranger remained in
the low-walled, open-air arena for the duration of the closure,
because there is no other way to keep out the skateboarders, but
due to the high number of noncompliant skaters, rangers did not
issue citations. Skateboarders said the pads restrict movement.

The Goleta City Council unanimously agreed to contribute
$250,000 toward installing artificial turf on one
of the Girsh Park soccer fields near the Camino
Real Marketplace. Heavy use by adult teams renders the natural
grass field unusable for several months of the year. A neighbor
objected to the artificial turf and surrounding fence, which is
necessary to prevent the artificial turf from being destroyed by a
motor vehicle. The city’s contribution kicks off a fundraising
campaign for the remainder of the $1 million total cost of the
turf, which lasts 12-14 years. Councilmember Jack Hawxhurst noted
that this expenditure leaves little in city park coffers for other
potential park projects and reprimanded staff for bringing the
issue to the board on the eve of the election.

Ranked 17th in the nation, the UCSB men’s
soccer team opens up this year’s NCAA tournament at home
this weekend against San Diego State. The Gauchos compiled a 12-7
record during the regular season on the way to their first Big West
title since 2004. This Saturday’s matchup against San Diego
State – which kicks off at 1 p.m. at Harder Stadium – is a rematch
of last year’s opening-round NCAA tourney match in which UCSB
defeated the Aztecs 2-0.