North Saanich Pickleball Controversy: The pickleball courts at Wain Road have sparked a debate in North Saanich over the use of taxpayer money to fund a facility that seems to benefit players from surrounding areas. Mike Scholefield, a resident of nearby Central Saanich, raised the issue publicly, questioning why North Saanich taxpayers should foot the bill for a facility used by non-residents. As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, the fairness of who benefits from these courts has become a central concern for many.
Lack of Data on Court Users
Scholefield, in a letter to the Peninsula News Review, posed a straightforward question: what percentage of Wain Road court users are actually from North Saanich? This call for transparency has highlighted a potential gap in the data collection regarding the demographics of court users.
For Scholefield and other concerned residents, the answer could determine whether North Saanich is justified in using taxpayer dollars for a facility that might largely benefit outsiders.
Without this information, some residents feel their local taxes are being unfairly allocated, a concern that has added fuel to the already heated debate.
Should Central Saanich Build its Courts?
Scholefield’s frustration extends beyond North Saanich, calling on Central Saanich, his municipality, to take responsibility. He questioned why his local government has not built similar pickleball facilities, putting the burden on North Saanich. With pickleball rapidly expanding across communities, Scholefield suggests each municipality should invest in its courts rather than relying on neighboring ones.
This view reflects a growing sentiment among residents: if other communities want the benefits of pickleball, they should invest in their infrastructure rather than lean on North Saanich.
Noise and the Push for Compromise
Beyond the debate over funding, noise from the pickleball courts has been another point of debate. Scholefield believes there’s room for compromise through the implementation of noise mitigation technology and restricting court hours. In his view, these measures, along with the potential addition of fencing, could address complaints from nearby residents without completely curtailing the sport.
However, Scholefield also suggested that North Saanich council might now be in damage control mode, trying to “save face” after previously failing to manage the situation. The council’s handling of the issue, along with the broader concerns over funding and fairness, remains at the forefront of the ongoing discussion.
News in Brief: North Saanich Pickleball Controversy
Mike Scholefield, a Central Saanich resident, is questioning the use of North Saanich tax dollars to fund the Wain Road pickleball courts, suggesting that many users come from outside the community. He is calling for data on the court’s users to determine the percentage of residents.
Scholefield also urged Central Saanich to build its pickleball courts and suggested noise mitigation and restricted hours as reasonable compromises to address complaints. He believes North Saanich Council may be scrambling to handle the situation after dropping the ball earlier.
ALSO READ: Annual Surprise Pickleball Cup Hits Arizona’s Courts on Sept. 27
