A committee charged with finding a temporary site for the Los Gatos Skatepark is considering using two of the six tennis courts at the park.

According to committee chairman and Councilmember Joe Pirzynski, the location already has several features essential to a skatepark: adequate lighting, a nearby restroom, parking spaces, sufficient access and full screening. The two courts combined also provide the 14,000 square feet needed for a workable skatepark.

"It would take nothing but an erection of a chain-link fence," Pirzynski said at the Sept. 3 Los Gatos Town Council meeting.

Pirzynski said the committee had shared the information with the town's parks commission, which agreed that the park fulfilled many requirements.

Although casual observation showed that the tennis courts were underutilized throughout the week, Pirzynski said, community outreach—especially to those who play tennis—is necessary. If there is no objection, however, the skatepark could be ready to go by December.

"The fact that it's going to cost us only a chain-link fence is very attractive, from the point of view of the committee," Pirzynski said.

Councilman Steve Glickman, also a committee member, added that if the tennis courts do not work, the skatepark could be converted back with minimal work.

Since the site is away from any residential neighborhoods, the skatepark would be closely monitored by parents or others in supervision. Pirzynski said there would be restrictions placed on skateboarders' padding and items brought inside.

The town had planned to build a full-fledged skatepark—complete with several ramps—at Vasona Lake County Park. But because Vasona is not town-owned, the proposal needed the approval of the county. In March, county parks commissioners rejected the plan.

Los Gatos isn't giving up, however; the town is in talks with the county to swap some of its land for the skatepark site.

In the meantime, the town hopes to construct an interim skatepark.

Pirzynski said the committee had looked at two other locations, both at Fisher Middle School, before considering Blossom Hill Park. The first, an empty lot near the batting cage, seemed perfect, but for the school's two-year construction plan. Fisher will use that spot to serve lunch to its students during renovation work. Since the goal is to find an immediate site, Pirzynski said, the idea was nixed.

The second alternative was a long, narrow space against the third base line at Fisher. Not only was the configuration not ideal, but the area was close to residences, and, according to a skatepark consultant, there were many problems with that site.

If the Blossom Hill Park proposal proves feasible, the town will take community input and hold at least one public hearing.