By Fay Vasilas Lyons Santa Monica
I am thrilled that Santa Monica could become home to a public beach club.
This project reminds me of the acquisition of the Westport Country Club in Westport, Connecticut. For many decades, that country club was for members only and in the late 1990s the city of Westport purchased the facility and beachfront privileges, opening the club to all of the city’s residents.
There are many summer activities for children — golf, tennis, swimming pools and concerts — on the property, in addition to a popular and profitable restaurant. Westport's public club has become a high selling point for real estate in that area.
A public beach club would become a tremendous asset for this community, giving everyone a comfortable place to enjoy the beach without having to spend unaffordable fees to join an existing private club.
If the neighbors are so concerned about their privacy being intruded upon by the public, perhaps they should spend their money on private security and not on lawyers to kill the project.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 18, 2006. Read the original PDF.