North Saanich Pickleball Court Debate: A heated North Saanich council meeting on February 24 ended in deadlock as procedural disputes halted a motion to reopen the Wain Park pickleball courts. Despite Councillor Jack McClintock’s efforts to introduce a proposal with new soundproofing measures, the motion was ruled out of order before discussion could begin.
Ongoing Controversy Over Court Closure
The Wain Park pickleball courts were permanently closed as of May 7, 2024, after noise complaints from nearby residents. The decision triggered strong opposition from the local pickleball community, leading to heated council meetings, a Supreme Court petition, and accusations that Mayor Peter Jones acted unilaterally.
To address the issue, the council has explored constructing new courts at Blue Heron Park, which is estimated to cost between $700,000 and $900,000. However, McClintock’s proposal sought to reopen Wain Park courts with acoustic paneling, which local pickleball associations had offered to help fund.
Council Meeting Turns Contentious
During the meeting, McClintock introduced his motion, arguing that local players were willing to invest their time and money to implement noise reduction measures. However, Councillor Irene McConkey interrupted, declaring the motion out of order.
“It’s quite common with this council when it comes to this particular matter. I don’t believe that they’re prepared to even listen for compromise.” – (McClintock)
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Rachel Dumas explained that for McClintock’s motion to proceed, council would first need to rescind its previous vote to close the courts. McClintock argued that his proposal was different from past motions because of the financial contributions and mitigation efforts from the pickleball community.
The meeting quickly became bogged down in procedural confusion, with council members debating voting rules and struggling to interpret bylaws.
Council Votes to Uphold Court Closure
After nearly 25 minutes of discussion, council voted 3-3 on whether McConkey’s point of order was valid. A tie vote, under council bylaws, upheld the ruling, preventing McClintock’s motion from moving forward.
Councillor Phil DiBattista later introduced a motion to rescind the court closure decision. However, Councillor Sanjiv Shrivastava raised a point of order, arguing that proper notice had not been given.
Mayor Jones clashed with Dumas over procedural rules, questioning her interpretation of the bylaws. At one point, Dumas turned off her camera, signaling frustration. When Jones attempted to proceed with a vote, McClintock protested, demanding a discussion first. After staff intervened, McClintock was allowed to speak.
He reiterated that local pickleball associations were willing to contribute funds for noise mitigation measures, including quiet paddles and an acoustic study.
“This is a win-win for the community. This is a win-win for the pickleball community as well as for the District of North Saanich.” – (McClintock)
Despite these efforts, the motion to rescind the court closure was defeated 4-3, with Jones, McConkey, Kristine Marshall, and Shrivastava voting against it.
Future of Wain Park Courts Remains Uncertain
Following the failed vote, Marshall introduced a motion to explore repurposing the Wain Park pickleball courts. She emphasized the impact of noise complaints on local property values, stating,
“I don’t think we’ve given enough time to consider the effect to these residents. These are their homes. They can’t escape from where they are. They have to live there.” – (Marshall)
Staff will report back on potential repurposing options at the next council meeting on March 10. Meanwhile, the future of pickleball in North Saanich remains in limbo, as tensions between the sport’s supporters and local government persist.
News in Brief: North Saanich Pickleball Court Debate
A motion to reopen North Saanich’s Wain Park pickleball courts was blocked before discussion could begin. Procedural disputes and confusion dominated the February 24 council meeting, ending with a 4-3 vote to uphold the court closure. Council will review repurposing options at the next meeting on March 10.
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