Fighting for Diversity and Inclusion in Baltimore County Sports

The outright disregard by Baltimore County Recreational Council of the right of the Loch Raven Badminton Club members to play in an appropriate county facility where their county taxes go to is appalling. There was no due process in their decision to relocate us. No prior consultations with the club's officers were made to reach a more equitable solution that is beneficial for all the clubs that play in the facility. NERRC gave us until January to pack our badminton equipments and relocate to a local high school gym. No adequate explanation was given other than their statement that indoor tennis can only be played in this facility while badminton can be accommodated elsewhere. In the meantime, the Pickle Ball club members continue to play in this same facility. The easiest scapegoat in my opinion, was our club- a club that is culturally diverse, a club with the most number of members, a club that perform civic duties such as our involvement in raising over $68,000 for the National Red Cross and a club that pays the county fees to be able to use this facility. Where is social justice here? Where's the mantra that we encourage diversity and inclusion? Most of us may not have the influence to pull strings in the county, but we are a diverse group of highly educated, respectful and law-abiding citizens who deserve equal respect like every citizen in this country. Badminton is also an American sport, and we deserve to play!

Moving the club would have a disastrous effect to our badminton community and our youth development.

I believe moving Loch Raven badminton club to another location is not fair to our members specially to our juniors who are receiving training every week . Our members deserve a good quality facility that is comfortable to play like any other group who are using the Parkville Recreation Center and I don’t believe our 200 plus members will fit in the other location. I suggest to consider our petition to stay in our present location or we will do the necessary action to keep our present location.

I have been living in the Baltimore county since 2009. My kids and I are new members beginning this year and we love it. I regretted that we were not part of the badminton club till this year. This club consists of very welcoming and helpful members. Coaching / training lessons at this club is top notch for all levels (beginners, juniors, adults and tournament) and it will help the kids in this region compete at high level and the game itself. It would be a shame to move this club to a different location that does not meet the basic necessity.

This ain’t it chief

Please keep the loch raven badminton club at NERC. We are a growing community and we’re happy seeing kids get involve with badminton/sports.

I strongly oppose the motion to the badminton club to the high school.

Please keep the badminton club at current facility.

Please don’t relocate the club ! Thanks!

With the stress of working in the medical field, my husband and I look forward to coming to Loch Raven Badminton Club At NERRC to relieve our stress. We go there not only to play but interact with all the other members that come from diverse backgrounds. From there, we have made friendships that will last a lifetime. And we have made connections that have been forged by our similar desire to maintain our health and wellness through play and sacrifice. From being simple club members, we have even ventured into competing into tournaments within and outside of our club. All of these opportunities were accorded to us because of the existence of this club. So with the shocking revelation of the potential relegation of our club to Loch Raven High School, it is very threatening to us because we know that the structure of our club as it stands will forever be changed. The high school will not be able to accommodate the playtime required by our members. The 16 play mats that we own will have no room in a facility that could only hold 6 courts. And logistically , the coaching program cannot be maintained. Unfortunately, all of these concerns (and more) were never heard because there was never even a discussion before the decision was made to relocate us. As tax and dues-paying members, we need to be accorded equitable playing time in a facility that will cater to our needs as well, not just the influential club/group that want to dictate our fate. We should all stand together and show them we deserve to stay in the facility that we need-NERRC.

Please don‘t relocate the Badminton Club.

This is a great sport for people of all ages, dispite it's popularity.

Lock Raven Badminton Club has Kids, Juniors, Adults and Seniors players who come from various background, all inclusive. It would be a great pity to force them out of a proper facility and drive them to a smaller inadequate gym without an open proper discussion to hear their voices and concerns.

Badminton forever

hit that default dance

SAVE BADMITTON

Please support us.

LRBC is a great community club. I was a member when I was younger and now have my son playing. It would be a shame to have it moved and see the club get downsized probably have the youth programs reduced.

I have been playing badminton at NERRC for over three years. I often come early and see tennis players finish their games. I enjoy watching them play tennis and never mind them taking a few extra minutes on the court. Recently, pickleball team came to the facility. I am always happy to watch them play as I have learned from them about this sport that I did not know before. Both sports look as fun as the badminton does. Over the years while playing badminton at NERRC, I know that the badminton club had to change the schedule a few times to accommodate the needs of the tennis players, which was reasonable because players of both sports have equal rights to be able to play in this public facility and there were conversations that involved both parties about the schedule change. However, this time, making the decision to move the badminton totally out of the NERRC public facility without any discussions with the badminton club officials and members is not fair to the 200 plus members of the badminton club. I urge all parties come together to have an open and fair discussion on the use of this public facility to ensure the equal rights of all citizens. Let's make a democratic decision because we are living in a democratic society, aren't we?!