On first day of spring, sign of summer removed from Bradford Beach as volleyball vendor terminates lease
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On the first day of spring Friday, March 20th -- a sign of summer removed from Bradford Beach. Earlier this month, FOX6 News told you G1, Inc., the vendor that handles volleyball at Bradford Beach was terminating its least with Milwaukee County Parks, and on Friday, the poles that hold the nets up were taken down.
In a post online in early March, Todd Gawronski with G1, Inc. wrote:
"We have submitted a lease termination agreement to Milwaukee County Parks."
Gawronski's volleyball nets aren't only a staple at Bradford Beach. He has helped to attract world class events, including several national professional volleyball tours.
Why G1, Inc. wants to say goodbye to Bradford Beach isn't completely clear. Gawronski says he can't talk about it yet because the issue is in litigation.
Friends are hinting there was trouble in paradise.
"It always seemed like every time Todd wanted to make an improvement, there were people in the county government that would make it very difficult on him," Terry Paulson, head of Badger Region Volleyball said.
This decision could have a big impact on Milwaukee County's wallet. Paulson says he's moving a major youth volleyball tournament with its hundreds of competitors and spectators to Racine.
"We thought it would be best to move that event south and make sure it gets on the Junior Beach Tour schedule," Paulson said.
So will there be volleyball at Bradford Beach this summer?
In a statement issued to FOX6 News, Milwaukee County Parks officials say:
"It is our intention to have volleyball for 2015. We are in the process of making a seamless transition and are currently working out all the details."
Friends say Gawronski had a goal of making Bradford Beach a nationally-recognized place for volleyball, and he's succeeded in that.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this story.