(March 5, 2007) -- While organizers voiced confidence at a March 1 news conference that Coastal Commission approval is already in place for July 19-22 AVC Crocs Pro Beach Volleyball in the East Shoreline Dr. area as part of LB's annual "Sea Festival," LBReport.com has learned Coastal Commission staff and City Hall staff will confer about the matter.

Coastal Commission Program Analyst Charles Posner told LBReport.com on Friday March 2 that he'd just heard about the announced event in that morning's paper and was the process of learning specifics about it before determining what, if anything, may be needed.

On March 1, AVP Tour Commissioner/CEO Leonard Armato (standing alongside Sea Festival Executive Director Chris Pook) told reporters that a game stadium would be built in the area nearby the Marina Green with outer courts on the nearby sand. Asked by LBReport.com if that had gone to the Coastal Commission yet, Mr. Armato replied:

Mr. Armato: Chris [Pook] can answer this but I think the short answer is that this has already been grandfathered-in based on a Coastal Commission plan that Chris actually put in effect at Sea Fest if I'm not mistaken [Mr. Pook inaudible for a few words off mike] and the Grand Prix years ago. so it's sort of grandfathered-in, and Chris was nice enough to allow us to utilize the wonderful platform that he's built to make this event take place.

On March 2, Dave Ashman, who heads LB's Office of Special Events and Filming, told LBReport.com that his office would be working to assist Mr. Pook on the matter and if additional permissions are involved, whether a consent letter, permit or some other approval, they will be in place if they aren't already. Mr. Ashman indicated that in his view, the scheduled volleyball event is within the parameters of previous events in the area allowed by the Coastal Commission. He added that his City Hall office is the one that would actually request a permit or other permission...and he planned to speak to Coastal Commission staff about the matter forthwith.

Source: Digital image accompanying City of LB release re July 19-22 event

[A follow-up voice message left by LBReport.com with Mr. Posner's office on Monday morning March 5, inquiring if he had further information on the matter, didn't produce a return call as of noon. We'll update this story as further information is received.]

The first day's qualifying Volleyball round (July 19) will be free of charge to the public; other events are $20 for General Admission, $40 for Courtside Box Seats with special discounts for students, children and seniors.

The AVP Cros Pro Beach Volleyball event will be televised nationally by NBC. In 2005, the LB City Council voted to contract with a privately-run, non-profit Sea Festival Ass'n headed by Mr. Pook (credited with masterminding LB's Grand Prix) to bring major summertime events to Long Beach that showcase the city as a national magnitude destination location.