CommentsPERSPECTIVE-I am a member of LA Fitness. I most often use the facility at Universal City because it has a hardwood basketball court.
Although my recreational playing days are over – no semblance of speed left in me – I derive much fulfillment from moving the ball around the court, going in for a layup and nailing a 3-pointer from the corner. Actually, I still have a pretty good shot.
Overall, it amounts to an enjoyable form of exercise and loosens me up for the rest of my routine … and I can pretend to be any guard in the NBA, although delusion might better describe my thoughts on the floor.
My basketball activities are best suited for times when the court is not crowded, usually late Saturday and Sunday afternoons and early evenings; and that’s when I notice it. It was particularly evident today.
The sidelines were lined with empty water bottle and energy drink containers, with partially eaten food items, too -- I saw two banana peels just today. Based on the volume of refuse, I estimate about 30 people were responsible.
I have complained to LA Fitness about this before.
I did so, again, today.
This time I made a suggestion that the facility’s management place signs in the gym reminding players to clean up before they leave. Even then, there will probably be those who ignore the message.
If that doesn’t work, LA Fitness should threaten to close the gym for, say, a week. Then do it again, if necessary. Maybe then there will be some peer pressure by responsible members to get the slobs to perform the simple task of tossing waste in a trash can. Even the worst players can make that shot.
I know this solution sounds like a form of parochial school discipline one might expect from the Sisters of Perpetual Abuse, but we are dealing with those who lack basic respect for other members, and especially for the maintenance crew assigned to clean it all up at the end of the day.
(Paul Hatfield is a CPA and serves as President of the Valley Village Homeowners Association. He blogs at Village to Village and contributes to CityWatch. The views presented are those of Mr. Hatfield and his alone and do not represent the opinions of Valley Village Homeowners Association or CityWatch. He can be reached at: [email protected].) Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
