Coastal Commission OKs Fees for Volleyball Meet

The California Coastal Commission, reversing a stand it took last year that summertime sporting events on the beach ought to be free, has given the city of Manhattan Beach the go-ahead to charge admission for all seats at the men’s professional volleyball tournament, the Manhattan Beach Open.

The commission, meeting in San Diego, voted Tuesday to allow Manhattan Beach to hold one event per year at which admission may be charged for all seats, according to Chuck Damm, the panel’s deputy director.

It’s all but certain, according to commission and city officials, that the Manhattan Beach Open will be that sole event.

Richard Thompson, Manhattan Beach’s community development director, said the about-face probably came too late for the city to charge admission to this summer’s volleyball tournament. “We’re very happy about this decision,” Thompson said, looking to 1999. “Now we’ll be able to charge admission to cover the cost of putting on that kind of an event.”