Kensington Abandons Pickleball Project: The town of Kensington, located in central Prince Edward Island, has opted to withdraw from a controversial plan to construct six new pickleball courts. The initial decision to move forward with the project led to the abrupt resignation of Rowan Caseley, the town’s mayor of 10 years. Acting mayor Jeff Spencer announced the reversal on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for unity within the community.
“This issue has been divisive within our community. My hope is that we can now put this behind us and continue working together to build and strengthen our great community.” – (Spencer)
A Tipping Point for Leadership
The original motion, passed narrowly by a 3-2 vote, approved $270,000 in external funding for the courts, with an additional $19,000 to be sourced from the town’s budget. Caseley strongly opposed the plan, citing concerns over staff resources and maintenance expenses. Viewing the council’s decision as a vote of no confidence in his leadership, Caseley resigned immediately after the vote.
By Wednesday, the council reversed its decision, noting that the town’s current workload, including playground upgrades, sidewalk installations, and wastewater system expansions, left no room for additional projects.
Local Pickleball Club’s Role
Adding to the complexity, the town stated that the local pickleball club could not commit to the upkeep of the courts or assist with fundraising for the project. While members of the club initially showed enthusiasm, the group ultimately determined that the initiative did not align with their priorities.
“While they were excited at the prospect of a new pickleball facility in the community, the development of pickleball courts does not align with the current priorities of the local pickleball club.” – (statement)
A Growing Community Faces Tough Choices
Kensington, home to approximately 2,000 residents, is managing growth alongside a $4.4 million budget for 2024-25. Despite the pickleball plan’s cancellation, the town expressed gratitude to Caseley, recognizing his decade of service and leadership.
News in Brief: Kensington Abandons Pickleball Project
The town of Kensington, P.E.I., has abandoned its plan to build six pickleball courts after the decision led to the resignation of its long-serving mayor, Rowan Caseley. Acting mayor Jeff Spencer cited the project’s divisive impact and the town’s limited resources, which are already allocated to other priorities like playground improvements and infrastructure expansion.
The local pickleball club also withdrew its support, unable to commit to the courts’ maintenance or fundraising. With the reversal, Kensington aims to focus on fostering unity and addressing pressing community needs.
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