Background
The pickleball courts at Wain Road have been permanently closed since May, 2024.
In crafting our decision regarding the closure of the pickleball courts, the District of North Saanich approached the matter with considerable thoughtfulness and empathy. Over the years, we engaged extensively with our community, seeking insights and opinions from both residents and avid players. This dialogue included numerous public consultations, feedback sessions, and careful reviews of how the courts impact our community’s wellbeing and use of shared spaces. We assure our residents that this decision was not made in haste. Rather, it represents a well-considered, informed choice by the Council, aimed at serving the best interests of the entire community, now and into the future.
We understand the importance of pickleball to our community and want to offer alternatives. Panorama Recreation provides reservable and registered pickleball play for adults of all and intermediate+ skill levels, along with recurring group court bookings. Please visit the Panorama Recreation website or call (250) 656-7271 for more information.
In the interest of transparency, here is a detailed timeline of pickleball at the District of North Saanich dating back to 2014, when the sport was first brought to Council’s attention.
Chronology of pickleball in North Saanich
Jan 12 - Regular Council Meeting
Staff Report No. IS-26-001: Wain & Noble Garden Park Plans - Engagement Summary
Main Motion:
That Council:
- receive Staff Report IS-26-001 - Wain & Noble Garden Park Plans - Engagement Summary for information; and further,
- direct staff to proceed with the scenario B including a nature play area.
- direct staff to prioritize the community gathering space in the staff Wain Road work plans with an anticipated May 2026 completion; and further,
- direct staff to place the Noble Garden Plan on hold and to continue managing Noble Garden as is being done currently. To include nature play area and the swing set.
CARRIED.
Jan 13 – Regular Council Meeting
Staff Report No. IS-25-002 - Pickleball Facility Concept Blue Heron Park
Motion:
That Council:
- Receive staff report IS-25-002 Pickleball Facility Concept — Blue Heron Park for information;
- Direct staff to consult the Memorial Park Society and Peninsula Soccer Association to confirm approval of the concept in principle; and thereafter,
- Direct staff to conduct correspondence with residents verified to live within 600m of the proposed site and report back to Council before March 10, 2025.
CARRIED.
Feb 24 – Regular Council Meeting
2025-02-24 Notice of Motion – Councillor Jack McClintock re: Wain Park Pickleball Courts.
Motion:
That Council:
- rescind Resolution No. 138, regarding the permanent closure of the pickleball courts located at Wain Road, which was made and adopted at the April 29, 2024, Regular meeting of Council; and further,
- rescind Resolution No. 271, regarding the Carnarvon Park Pickleball study and installation of acoustic panels at Wain Park pickleball courts, which was made and defeated at the August 12, 2024, Regular meeting of Council.
DEFEATED.
2025-02-24 Notice of Motion – Councillor Kristine Marshall re: Wain Road Pickleball Courts.
Motion:
That in consideration of the permanent closure of the Wain Road pickleball courts an alternative purpose for the associated infrastructure and further, direct staff to report back to council at the March 10, 2025, Regular meeting of Council with recommendations for the repurposing of the Wain Road pickleball courts with consideration given to funding through the Parks Reserve Fund.
CARRIED.
Rise and Report: dismissal of Pickleball Litigation
Mar 10 – Regular Council Meeting
Staff Report No. IS-25-006: Blue Heron Park Pickleball Facility Concept – Limited Stakeholder Engagement
Motion:
That Council receive Staff Report IS-25-006 titled Blue Heron Park Pickleball Facility Concept — Limited Stakeholder Engagement for information
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Staff Report No. IS-25-007: Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Interim Repurposing
Motion:
That Council direct staff to prepare a report including a cost analysis to repurpose the Wain Road pickleball courts to covered picnic tables and permanent basketball hoops, as a community gathering space.
CARRIED.
April 28 – Regular Council Meeting
Notice of Motion – Mayor Peter Jones re: Blue Heron Park Pickleball Facility Concept
Motion:
That Council direct staff to conclude review of the possible pickleball facility at Blue Heron Park on behalf of the District of North Saanich, and further, provide all information gathered by staff to the Peninsula Recreation Commission for possible consideration of a pickleball facility under direction of the Peninsula Recreation Commission.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
January 15 – Regular Council Meeting
The following late items were received and added to the agenda accordingly:
Pertaining to:
2. Item No. 7(a)(iii) – REPORTS – Pickleball Court Site Feasibility Review – Public Engagement (Attachment No. 1 Pickleball correspondence received December 2023 – January 2024)
• Email received January 11, 2024, from N. Trueman
• Email received January 11, 2024, from D. Tarasoff
• Email received January 11, 2024, from D. Grant
• Email received January 12, 2024, from C. Richards
• Email received January 12, 2024, from J. McLaren
• Email received January 12, 2024, from R. Harrison
• Email received January 15, 2024, from A. Graham
• Email received January 15, 2024, from B. Radford
• Letter received January 15, 2024, from J. McKinnon
• Email received January 15, 2024, from V. Bridge
• Email received January 15, 2024, from D. Trann
Regarding the Public Participation Period, conclusion:
That the 20 minutes allotted for the Public Participation period commence with the first member of the Public to speak in regard to pickleball.
Staff Report IS-24-01 – Pickleball Court Site Feasibility Review – Public Engagement
MAIN MOTION:
That Council:
1. Upon considering the recent public input received, withdraw part 3 of resolution #503 as voted at the December 4, 2023, Regular Council Meeting; and
2. Direct staff to undertake review of soft ball use only at Wain Road pickleball courts. That staff report back to Council recommendations for implementation and enforcement of soft ball use only at Wain Road pickleball courts.
SECOND MOTION: That the Main Motion be divided in order to consider part 1 and part 2 separately. DEFEATED.
A Vote was called to the main motion and declared CARRIED.
January 29 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondences received January 2024 regarding Pickleball:
• Email received January 15, 2024, from C. Weiss
• Email received January 15, 2024, from I. Desmarais
• Email received January 17, 2024, from Anonymous
• Email received January 17, 2024, from D. Crozier
• Email received January 17, 2024, from P. Humble
April 29 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding Reports – Pickleball Mitigation, conclusion:
That Council direct staff to:
1. Permanently close the pickleball courts located at Wain Road effective as of 7:30 a.m., May 7, 2024;
2. Place a secure lock on the access gate to the courts; and
3. Place a sign on the gate or fence adjacent to the gate that informs public of the closure and applicable time and day, and notification of closure sign to be in place by 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
May 6 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence received April 2024 – May 2024 regarding Pickleball – Wain Road Courts:
• C. Reid
• A. Majeed
• A. Woermke
• R. Lemieux and J. Lemieux
• A. Edgell
• G. Roberts and M. Roberts
• W. Danis
• P. Crober
• M. McC-sen
• P. Guest
• T. Middleton
• Peninsula Pickleball Club (x3)
• R. Cyr
• D. Dickson (x2)
• M. Mooney
• R. Searle
• P. Sumida
• J. McNeeley
• M. Stofer
• R. Lawrence
• T. Novosad and J. Novosad
• B. Harrigan
• A. Anderson
• G. Mason
• E. Young
• B. Hadden (Hardy)
• A. Blyth
• P. van Adrichem
• S. Service
• R. Ellis
• G. Clarke and K. Clarke
• S. Burkett
Council statement on pickleball
Resolution No. 156 – MAIN MOTION:
That Council approve the Regular Council meeting agenda held May 6, 2024, with the inclusion of the late items and further, that late item 8 (b)(i)be moved before Item No. 5 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION; and, further that the agenda be renumbered accordingly.
Resolution No. 157 – AMENDMENT MOTION:
That Item No.11 (c) CORRESPONDENCE FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION – Correspondence received April 2024 – May 2024, regarding Pickleball – Wain Road Courts be moved to CORRESPONDENCE as Item No. 10(b).
A Vote was called on the Main Motion as amended and declared CARRIED.
June 19 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding the Notice of Motion – Mayor Jones Re: Proposed New Location for Pickleball Courts and Closure of Pickleball Courts at Wain Park, conclusion:
That Council direct staff to prepare a staff report to explore options for the potential relocation and construction of pickleball courts at Blue Heron Park including the closure and repurpose of the pickleball courts at Wain Park.
August 14 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding Emails received between July 6 – August 4, 2023 regarding Pickleball Courts from K. Bridgen (2) and E. Dickson, conclusion:
That the emails received between July 6 – August 4, 2023 regarding Pickleball Courts from K. Bridgen (2) and E. Dickson, be referred to staff for response.
October 16 – Regular Council Meeting
Staff Report IS-23-016 - Relocation of Pickleball Courts
Motion
That Council:
1. Receive staff report IS-23-016 titled Relocation of Pickleball Courts for information; and
2. Direct staff to conduct a District wide site feasibility review resulting in prioritization of potential pickleball sites; and further direct staff to respond accordingly to the letter received October 16, 2023, from B. Watson in regard to concerns detailed by the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association (Late Item).
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
November 6 – Regular Council Meeting
Email dated October 26, 2023, from B. Watson on behalf of R. Ellis, with the subject line possible relocation of Wain Park pickleball courts for information received
December 4 – Regular Council Meeting
The following late items were received and added to the agenda accordingly:
Pertaining to:
Item No. 5(d) – Public Hearing, Public Input on the Public Hearing Matter
• Letter received December 4, 2023, from J. Plant and R. Dignan with subject matter Rezoning Application REZ 2022-01 for Lot 2,
Sections 13 and 14, Range 1 East, North Saanich District, Plan 9126 – 10180 Littlewood Road.
Item No. 10(a)(i) – Pickleball Court Site Feasibility Review
• Email received December 4, 2023, from G. Insley with subject line Parks, trails, beach access.
• Email received December 4, 2023, from a member of the Public, with subject line Support for location of 6 proposed PB courts.
• Email received December 4, 2023, from T. Sears, with subject line Pickleball Court location.
• Email received December 4, 2023, from Peninsula Community Pickleball Club Board of Directors, with subject line Relocation of the Wain Road Pickleball Courts.
• Email received December 4, 2023 from S. Dening, with subject line Proposed Pickle Ball at Cy Hampson.
• Email received December 4, 2023, from K. Sucksmith and G. Sucksmith, with subject line Council meeting – pickleball sites.
• Email received December 4, 2023, from a member of the Public, with subject line Dec 4, 2023 Agenda – Council meeting.
• Email received December 4, 2023, from Y. Staples, with subject line Pickle Ball Courts.
Staff Report No. IS-23-020 – Pickleball Court Site Feasibility Review
Motion
That Council:
1. receive Staff Report No. IS-23-020 titled Pickleball Court Site Feasibility Review; further
2. direct staff to explore sound mitigation options at the Wain Road pickleball court site and report back to Council on type, lifespan and cost of the sound mitigation options; and further
3. continue with concept development to 30% of Cy Hampson Park, Blue Heron Park and Hospital Hill site locations; and further
4. bring the matter forward to the Peninsula Recreation Commission.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
May 2 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence received May 2, 2022, from R. Ellis regarding pickleball in our community.
May 9 – COW Meeting
Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Noise Mitigation added to agenda
Correspondence received May 8, 2022 from M. Dauncey regarding support for pickleball in the community.
Staff Report No. IS-22-011 - Wain Park Pickleball Facility - Noise Mitigation
Motions
That Council receive Staff Report No. IS-22-01 1 for information. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
That Council direct staff to refine cost estimates and report back on the timed locks short-term option which can be implemented in 2022. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
That Council direct staff to further investigate:
1. medium-term options, utilization of other facilities, and explore feasibility of swapping tennis and pickle-ball; and,
2. long-term options and whether parking expansion is needed,
And report back to Council later in 2022 with recommendations regarding Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Noise Mitigation.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
May 16 – Regular Council Meeting
Committee of the Whole Report for Council to ratify, including the motions related to Staff Report No. IS-22-011 - Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Noise Mitigation
Motions
That Council receive Staff Report No. IS-22-01 1 for information. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
That Council direct staff to refine cost estimates and report back on the timed locks short-term option which can be implemented in 2022. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
That Council direct staff to further investigate:
1. medium-term options, utilization of other facilities, and explore feasibility of swapping tennis and pickle-ball; and,
2. long-term options and whether parking expansion is needed,
And report back to Council later in 2022 with recommendations regarding Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Noise Mitigation.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Regarding the correspondence received on April 10 & 25, & May 2, 2022 from S. Morphet, the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association and R. Eillis regarding pickleball in North Saanich, conclusion:
That the correspondence received on April 10 & 25, & May 2, 2022 from S. Morphet, the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association and R. Eillis regarding pickleball in North Saanich be referred to staff for consideration as part of the Wain Road Pickleball Facility noise mitigation initiative.
June 20 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence received June 20, 2022, from E. Dickson regarding pickleball court noise mitigation. Referred to staff for response.
Staff Report No. IS-22-019 – Wain Road Pickleball Facility – Short Term Noise Mitigation
Motion
That Council:
1. Receive Staff Report No. IS-22-019 for information; and,
2. Direct staff to retain a security firm to close the courts at the end of each day at an estimated cost of $3,000 for 2022.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
July 11 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence received July 4 & 5, 2022 from K. & R. Krogstad and D. Bentley regarding pickleball courts received for information.
January 11 – Special Council Meeting
Regarding the correspondence received December 16, 2020, from D. Bentley regarding the Wain Road Pickleball courts, conclusion:
That Council direct staff to investigate the installation of timed locking mechanisms on the courts to prevent access outside of permitted times.
February 1 – Regular Council Meeting
The correspondence dated January 19, 2021 to January 26, 2021 regarding pickleball received for inclusion in the November 2021 report on the operational feedback for the pickleball courts.
March 1 – Regular Council Meeting
The correspondence dated February 5, 2021 from D. Bentley, February 5, 2021 from M. Houle and February 9, 2021 from P. Brown regarding pickleball received for inclusion in the November 2021 report on the operational feedback for the pickleball courts.
March 15 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding Timed Locks – Wain Park Pickleball Courts, conclusion:
That the report dated March 1, 2021 from the Works Superintendent regarding Timed Locks – Wain Park Pickleball Courts be received for information and referred to the November 2021 pickleball operational review. (Motion #177)
That Council direct staff to revise operating hours sign to be more visible and place signs on all entrance gates.
That Council direct staff to consider the use of monitoring equipment to determine pickleball court usage and bring back the information to Council no later than August. DID NOT CALL THE QUESTION.
That Council refer motion #177 to the next Council meeting.
April 12 – Special Council Meeting
Regarding Timed Locks – Wain Park Pickleball Courts, conclusion:
That Council direct staff to consider the use of monitoring equipment to determine pickleball court usage and bring back the information to Council no later than August. (Motion #177)
That motion #177 be withdrawn.
That Council direct staff to consider options for monitoring pickleball usage during the spring and summer periods and report back as soon as possible.
That the Mayor write a letter to Quirks & Quarks to see if they can solve the pickleball issue in North America.
That the correspondence dated March 23, 2021 and March 28, 2021 from D. Bentley and March 24, 2021 from P. Brown regarding Pickleball be received.
June 7 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Monitoring Usage, conclusion:
That Council receive report dated June 7, 2021 from the Director of Infrastructure Services regarding Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Monitoring Usage for information.
November 15 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Operational Update, conclusion:
That Council receive the Staff Report No. IS-21-003 re: Wain Park Pickleball Facility – Operational Update for information and direct staff to explore noise mitigation options.
February 3 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding Presentation – Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Courts at Birch Road, conclusion:
That the request from the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association be referred to the Parks Master Plan for consideration in the development of the Parks Master Plan
That Council refer the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association request to the Budget Committee
March 5 – Budget Meeting
March 16 – Regular Council Meeting
Budget Committee Report, conclusion:
That:
a.) Council ask the Pickleball Association do further work on the proposal; and
b.) the Pickleball courts be considered as part of the Official Community Plan and Parks Master Plan review.
That Council not consider the Pickleball investment in the 2020 budget year.
June 15 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence dated June 7, 2020 from C. Becker and staff response dated June 10, 2020 from the Director of Infrastructure Services regarding pickleball sign and policies received.
Correspondence received June 8, 2020 from D. Foster and staff response dated June 8, 2020 from the Director of Infrastructure Services regarding pickleball courts at Wain Road received.
Correspondence dated June 8, 2020 and June 10, 2020 from D. Bentley and J. Stone regarding Wain Road Park pickleball courts referred to staff for a report.
Correspondence received June 15, 2020 from the Campbells of North Saanich regarding pickleball referred to staff for a response.
July 13 – COW Meeting
Regarding Wain Park Pickleball Facility, conclusion:
That Council direct staff to request that the Birch Road residents and the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association representatives continue to meet in an effort to arrive at a modified facility hours of operation and that staff report back on the outcome of those discussions at the August 17, 2020 Council meeting.
That Council request that the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association gather feedback from pickleball players that are not part of the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association to gage their support for modified facility hours of play.
That Council direct staff to consider implementing signage at the facility based on the outcome of the August meeting.
That Council direct staff to make best efforts to determine the actual use of the courts in terms of days and hours of use for a typical week by communicating with the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association.
July 13 – Regular Council Meeting
Wain Road Pickleball Courts correspondence received.
August 17 – Regular Council Meeting
Conclusion:
That the correspondence dated August 11, 2020 from C. Reid and correspondence dated August 15, 2020 from D. Bentley and J. Stone regarding Wain Road Pickleball Courts be received.
That Council create a sub-committee of three consisting of Councillors Gartshore, McClintock and Pearson to review the feedback received to date regarding noise at the Wain Road Pickleball Courts and report back to Council with recommended action no later than September 28, 2020.
Pickleball correspondence received.
September 28 – Special Council Meeting
Regarding Wain Road Pickleball Courts, conclusion:
That Council recommend that effective immediately the hours for the Wain Road Pickleball Courts shall be:
Monday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
That Council direct staff to update the signage at the Wain Road Pickleball Courts to reflect the new hours as agreed to by Council and to include the message to please not use the courts outside of the posted hours to minimize the impact on neighbours.
December 7 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding the correspondence received November 12, 2020 and November 13, 2020 regarding Pickleball, conclusion:
That Council direct staff to review the operational feedback received from residents and pickleball participants in addition to review of the previous staff report and the options presented and report back to Council in November 2021.
June 17 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding Pickleball Court Reservation for Tournament Event, conclusion:
That Council authorize the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association to host a tournament on all four pickleball courts at Wain Park on Saturday, July 20th, 2019.
November 19 – Regular Council Meeting
R. Johnson re: picnic tables at pickleball courts correspondence received.
January 23 – COW Meeting
Regarding the Pickleball Facilities Plan, conclusion:
That Council:
1. Receive the Pickleball Facilities Plan staff report;
2. Authorize staff to have four new pickleball courts constructed at Wain Road Park and allocate $120,000 in funding for the project; and
3. That the courts be located in the northeast corner of Wain Road Park and consideration be given to future pickleball court development at Wain Road Park.
That the amount of $120,000 for pickleball courts be pre-approved before the 2017 budget.
** Note ** This funding amount came from the District’s General Amenity Fund, which is made up of developer contributions.
September 18 – Regular Council Meeting
Peninsula Pickleball Club correspondence received.
February 15 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence dated February 12, 2016 from L. Brewster, Senior Manager, Panorama Recreation, regarding meeting with Pickleball and Tennis representatives received.
July 18 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence for Council’s information received from B. Hardy moved to the August meeting.
August 15 – Regular Council Meeting
Correspondence dated July 12, 2016 from B. Hardy regarding pickleball referred to the September 19, 2016 meeting of Council.
September 12 – COW Meeting
Regarding Pickleball Lines on Tennis Courts, conclusion:
That pickleball lines not be placed on the Wain Road Dee Bailin Memorial tennis courts.
That Council direct staff to include information related to the potential refurbishment of the Parkland tennis courts for both tennis and pickleball with the upcoming staff report for municipal land available for pickleball.
That the pickleball staff report be on an agenda no later than January 2017.
July 13 – COW Meeting
Regarding Pickleball Lines at Wain Road Tennis Courts, conclusion:
That Council refer the issue of pickleball to the Panorama Recreation Commission and the Stewardship Advisory Commission for consideration and recommendation.
August 17 – COW Meeting
Pickleball presentation
October 21 – Special Council Meeting
Pickleball: A. Osborne presented a petition against shared use of tennis courts
Conclusion:
That the correspondence dated October 5, 2015 from L. Brewster, Senior Manager, Panorama Recreation, regarding Pickleball Court Inventory, be received.
That the pickleball issue be considered at the next Strategic Planning session scheduled for early 2016.
November 16 – Regular Council Meeting
Regarding the Notice of Motion from Councillor Stock re: pickleball, conclusion:
That staff research and identify an appropriate location on existing park land in the District to offer to the Panorama Recreation Commission for the construction of outdoor pickleball courts in North Saanich.
June 23 – COW Meeting
Regarding the report dated June 16, 2014 from the Works Superintendent regarding Pickleball Courts, conclusion:
That Council refer the pickleball issue to the Parks Advisory Commission and that the Parks Advisory Commission be asked for advice on the type of facilities offered at Wain Road Park.
That Council send a letter to the Peninsula Recreation Commission in support of local pickleball players and request that Panorama Recreation staff work with local pickleball players to increase court accessibility and availability.