SANDPOINT, Idaho — After weeks of protests over the City of Sandpoint’s decision to allow developers to put in a pickleball court in Travers Park, Councilmember Andy Groat announced his resignation during Wednesday’s regular meeting.
“I thought I had enough,” Groat said as he choked back tears. “I don’t. I’m done… I resign. I’m so sorry.”
Groat then walked out of the meeting to the applause of some of his fellow councilmembers.
Councilmember Joel Aispuro broke the silence to plea to the audience to remember that those in government are human too.
“This is real life,” Aispuro said. “You’re real people who are part of the community… We are humans as well.”
At issue in recent weeks has been the city council’s approval of a plan to put indoor pickleball and tennis courts in Travers Park. The city said it conducted public outreach on the plan from July 2022 to Feb. 2023.
In recent weeks, community members have criticized the public outreach as insufficient.
The family of the Frank Travers, the park’s namesake, has made emotional pleas to the city to protect the park as it is.
“It’s a fabulous donation by the Russell family, it just needs to not be planted in the middle of Travers Park,” the Travers children said in a protest on Monday. “Russell Park should be the place for the building, and we need to find a Russel Park. We’re a growing community.”
