Beach volleyball returns to Crystal Beach for second season

Original article courtesy of Fort Erie Radio

A partnership between the Town of Fort Erie, the Crystal Beach BIA and JAM Sports launched its second summer of organized beach volleyball Saturday, opening the season with a tournament on two sand courts at the Grove.

The Spring Into Summer Beach Volleyball Tournament ran May 16 at the Crystal Beach courts, kicking off a schedule that now includes two full league seasons and regular open-court access for the public.

The partnership has turned what Ward 5 Councillor Tom Lewis described to Fort Erie Radio as a “dead space” into an active recreational hub.

“It was a dead space. It wasn’t doing anything before,” Lewis said. “It just continues to show what more recreational activities do for people in the community.”

The two sand courts are free and open to the public outside of organized play. Photo taken last summer. Credit: Roman Ber | Facebook

JAM Sports is running a spring league from May 19 to July 9 and a summer league from July 14 to September 3, with mixed six-person teams competing at recreational and intermediate levels. Individual free-agent spots and team registrations are both available through JAM Sports’ website.

Lewis said a small group of volunteers and some co-operation with the town on bringing in sand made the courts possible last year, and the response since has been positive.

“Not only does it bring more visitors and economic activity to Crystal Beach, but it also creates more opportunities for residents and families to enjoy active, healthy recreation right here,” said Lewis. 

The BIA and the town are now in discussions with the Hill Cottagers Association about adding beach volleyball or half-court basketball to that property, which would extend the same model to a second location in the area.