2020 December LakeTalk | Page 21

THREE TEENS HELP MAKE A CHANGE IN LLA

The Coldstream Tennis Courts received a renovation this fall and are now referenced by LLA as the Coldstream Courts . Once six tennis courts , the amenity area now features three tennis courts , six pickleball courts , and one multipurpose court . The project began with an idea envisioned by teens of the community and presented to the Board of Directors by Members , Mason Timberlake , Mathias Long , and Charlie Villa .
" We were inspired by the fact that the old tennis courts were not used on most occasions . There was no one there even on nice days ," Mason said . " We wanted to make something the community could use and enjoy ." So , the three put their heads together to develop a plan . " The three of us and some others in our friend group would regularly go over to the courts and play hockey but have had to play around the [ tennis ] nets ," Mathias shared . " Mason and I had an idea one day to divide the two already existing sections into smaller , more open sections better for playing hockey , lacrosse , soccer , etc ."
First , the group reached out to LLA ' s General Manager , Michelle Doster , sharing the idea and asking how they should best introduce it to the Board of Directors . Following Michelle ' s guidance , Mason , Mathias , and Charlie researched logistics and costs to create a presentation for the Board and notes to help them present .
Their hard work paid off as the Board approved and moved forward with the renovation . Now , the entire community can enjoy their dedication to the project . " We ' ve brought some friends and family to check out the more open hockey rink looking court to the far right [ multipurpose court ]," Mathias said . " All of our friends love it , and it is an awesome place to hang out and play sports with your friends ."
Mason , Mathias , and Charlie aren ' t the first teens to present a project idea to the Board and have it approved . They shared some tips for anyone looking to materialize an idea in the community :
1 . " Approach the Board with options on how to complete ," Charlie said .
2 . " For anyone who would like to express their idea to the board , email Michelle , the General Manager , she is very nice and made the whole process of presenting our idea easy by showing us all the things we needed [ for our presentation ]..." Mason added , " Also , be sure to include lots of detail because it will make it so much easier when presenting your idea to the Board ."
3 . " Just go for it and get a plan with people that are behind you to support you ," Mathias said . " Make sure you know what you want to do or propose to the Board and make sure it is a realistic idea ."
LakeTalk December 2020 21