Noise Concerns from Nearby Residents
The noise, described as sharp and echoing, comes from the perforated ball used in pickleball. Coun. Kathryn Morse, who proposed the motion, said residents living just 10 meters from the courts in her district found the sound intolerable.
“It was echoing into the nearby houses and condominiums,” Morse said Friday, highlighting how the park’s location made the problem particularly severe.
Attempts to Mitigate the Issue
The city tried various solutions to reduce noise, such as limiting playing hours and requiring foam balls instead of traditional hard ones.
“There wasn’t a lot of compliance from players, and noise complaints persisted.” – (Morse)
The municipal council will make the final decision on the conversion in January or February.
Lessons from Other Cities
A municipal report recommends Halifax adopt Vancouver’s approach to pickleball. Vancouver faced lawsuits in 2021 and 2022 over pickleball noise. In response, it introduced evenly distributed courts and sound barriers to maintain noise levels below 50 decibels.
Balancing Recreation and Community Needs
As pickleball grows in popularity across North America, cities like Halifax are tasked with balancing recreational opportunities with residents’ quality of life. A final decision could set an example for how Halifax manages pickleball in residential areas, while alternative sites for the sport are explored.
News in Brief: Halifax Could Close Pickleball Courts
Halifax’s Castle Hill Park pickleball courts could be shut down after residents complained about “excessive” noise from the sport. The Halifax Regional Municipality’s committee voted to convert the courts back to tennis while exploring new locations for pickleball.
The sharp, echoing noise from the perforated ball has disturbed nearby homes. Despite efforts to limit noise, including foam balls and restricted hours, complaints persisted. A final decision will be made in January or February 2025.
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