Youth completes first steps toward sand volleyball court

Sisters High School sophomore Ben Johnson is laying the groundwork to bring sand volleyball to Sisters.

The Sisters Boy Scout formed a committee, is working with Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) and Sisters High School and has obtained city approval to build two sand volleyball courts near the high school.

Now he needs some help from the community.

Johnson, an Eagle Scout candidate, has been in scouting since he was 8 years old, starting as a Cub Scout. He has taken on this project benefitting the community as one of the last hurdles to earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Becoming an Eagle Scout isn't easy; 98 percent of scouts never obtain the rank. A candidate must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, awarded after he demonstrates knowledge and ability in life skills such as first aid, citizenship, environmental science and communications. A candidate must also complete an extensive service project. This project must successfully demonstrate proposal writing, planning, people skills, leadership, management, fundraising and public speaking.

In order to get approval for his service project Johnson gave a presentation of his proposal before the Sisters City Council.

"This is definitely out of my comfort zone," he said.

He was given approval and the city waived the planning fees.

As a first step in getting his volleyball court project going, Johnson met with Anne Heath of SPRD. She advised Ben that he would need to form a committee. The SPRD board requires student-led projects to have an adult advisor. She suggested Tom Harrer, a Sisters physical therapist and former professional beach volleyball player, might be willing to help. He was, and - having recently built a sand volleyball court - is a great resource.

The two regulation-size courts will be built on school property, managed by SPRD and maintained by the volleyball committee. It will be a low-maintenance facility. The site is west of the high school between the sports fields and the parking lot.

"These courts will be a great addition to our facility," said Heath. "The courts will be used by youth leagues, adult leagues, the community and the school, giving the physical education department additional options."

"Sisters is known for its volleyball prowess and these courts will add to that and help promote volleyball growth in the community," said Harrer. "Outlaw Volleyball Coach Miki McFadden, herself a former beach/sand volleyball standout, as well as my wife Janice Harrer, a recent California Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee, will add to the credibility of sand volleyball courts in Sisters attracting players and tournaments."

"We're looking for donations, either cash or materials," said Heath. "We estimate the total cost to be $30,000. It would be more, but the volleyball committee is doing all the construction work. We need rope for boundary lines, nets and, most important, sand."

"The biggest challenge will be the sand," said Harrer. "It's not cheap and it's expensive to haul. We estimate we'll need 365 cubic yards."

Several people have donated skill and materials so far. Architect Chris Mays has done design drawings, Swiss Mountain Log Homes will donate four large net poles, Eric Liddell of Sisters Screen Printing is making a banner, and Tim Barrier is doing the excavating. Dan Rickards has donated a painting to be auctioned off at a future fundraising event with the proceeds going toward the project.

"There are many aspects to a project like this. Ben is doing a good job managing it," said Jess Risenmay, Ben's scout leader at Troop 188. "Becoming an Eagle Scout takes lots of work and dedication, and Ben is very dedicated. The hard work pays off and the end product, a young man who is an asset to his community, is really great."

Johnson says they hope to have the courts completed by late spring. For more information about the project and to donate contact Ben Johnson at 541-639-2990, [email protected]