Chalked Pickleball Lines in Qualicum Beach Spark Tensions: Tennis vs. Pickleball

Chalked Pickleball Lines in Qualicum Beach Spark Tensions: Members of the Arrowsmith Tennis Club (ATC) were startled on August 23rd when they arrived at the Qualicum Beach courts. What they found was more than just a minor inconvenience—someone had drawn pickleball lines in chalk on one of the tennis courts. The surprise didn’t end there. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the tennis net had been tampered with, an apparent attempt to lower it to the correct height for pickleball. The ATC members were quick to point out that tennis nets are “not cheap to replace,” making the unauthorized adjustments even more troubling.

An Act of Defiance?

Greg Bach, a former president of the ATC, labeled the incident as an “act of vandalism.” His frustration stemmed not just from the defacement itself, but from what it represented. The town of Qualicum Beach already designated one of the three tennis courts for shared use, complete with permanent pickleball lines. Yet, someone chose to target another court, ignoring the existing arrangement. “It appears that the lines are being put in as a provocative act against the decision by Qualicum Beach council not to install permanent lines on two of the tennis courts,” Bach explained. He feared that such actions would only “create the same tension and potential conflicts as would permanent lines.”

A Call for Unity

The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on the ATC members. Many of them also enjoy playing pickleball, which makes the conflict all the more personal. Bach emphasized that the unauthorized actions are counterproductive, stating, “Unauthorized actions such as this do nothing to enhance the relationship between the two sports.” The ATC believes that both sports can coexist peacefully but require mutual respect and understanding. They highlighted the cooperative model between Tennis BC and Pickleball BC as an example of how tennis and pickleball communities can work together to meet each other’s needs without resorting to confrontational tactics.

Town’s Perspective and the Search for Solutions

Luke Sales, director of planning for the Town of Qualicum Beach, weighed in on the issue, urging patience and cooperation from all sides. The town has been working diligently to establish new pickleball courts and has already identified a potential site within the community park. “We would discourage anyone from marking up town property to establish pickleball courts on the existing tennis courts,” Sales stated. He recognized the challenges in balancing the needs of different user groups but remained hopeful that a new pickleball court would provide a long-term solution. Sales warned that continued unauthorized actions could lead to further conflict, a scenario the town is eager to avoid.

Moving Forward: Cooperation Over Conflict

As tensions simmer, the future of shared recreational spaces in Qualicum Beach hangs in the balance. The chalk lines, though easily washed away, symbolize a deeper divide that needs addressing. Both the ATC and town officials agree that the way forward lies in cooperation, not conflict. The development of new facilities, such as the proposed pickleball court in the community park, offers hope for a peaceful resolution. But as the community awaits these changes, the emphasis must remain on mutual respect and finding common ground—both on and off the court.