The Alpena Beach Volleyball League has been a staple in the community for over 20 years, providing a place for people to come together and enjoy summer fun on the sands of Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park. What started as a small league near Bay View has grown into one of Michigan’s largest beach volleyball leagues, with a proud history of community involvement and self-sufficiency.
The league is currently overseen by a dedicated committee that includes long-time members like Candi Houchin, Jason Patzer, and Andrew Hornak. These individuals have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the courts, ensuring that they are always in top condition for league play. From providing sand to setting up lights, the committee works tirelessly to keep the courts in great shape.
The Mich-E-Ke-Wis courts have been the league’s primary location for regular play and tournaments, attracting volleyball enthusiasts from across the region. With three different leagues filling the courts every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night, the courts are constantly bustling with activity. The league hosts up to 50 teams in the adult leagues and 15 teams in the youth league, providing a space for players of all ages to come together and enjoy the game.
In addition to providing a place for friendly competition, the league has also been a strong supporter of local causes. Tournaments hosted by the league have benefited organizations such as the Second Chance Animal Shelter, Huron Humane Society, Alpena Animal Control, and Nature’s Kingdom. Their „Volley for Vets“ tournament raises funds for veteran charities like the Wounded Warrior Program, drawing teams from across Michigan and even from Canada.
Despite the league’s long history and strong community support, its future is now in jeopardy. A proposed water treatment plan threatens to eliminate the Mich-E-Ke-Wis courts, leaving the league without a home. The committee has been working closely with the city for several years on a design that would accommodate both the league and the local farmers market, but delays and vague communication from city officials have left them feeling uncertain about the future.
Efforts to clarify the situation have been met with challenges, with construction equipment and fencing going up at the courts without prior notice. The league faces the possibility of not being able to hold a season next year if the courts are removed as scheduled on August 24. Despite these challenges, the league remains determined to keep the spirit of the game alive and continue to contribute to the community that has supported it for so long.
As the league pushes for the new courts they were promised, their goal remains clear: to ensure that next summer, the courts are ready to welcome players once again. Whether hosting more tournaments or providing a place for families to come together, the Alpena Beach Volleyball League is committed to keeping the game alive and thriving in the community.