Skaha Lake’s Pickleball Plan: John Archer, a longtime Penticton resident who recently left the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee, is leading a petition against a $270,000 plan to build four new pickleball courts near Skaha Lake. About 150 people have signed so far, expressing concerns about noise and parking.
Background on the Project
The city of Penticton plans to remove one of the three tennis courts at Skaha Lake Park to add four pickleball courts. The project also includes upgrades to two tennis courts.
Work is expected to finish by Labour Day weekend, said Anna Melnick, the city’s manager of communications and engagement. The total cost is $270,000, with $100,000 from the Penticton Pickleball Club and $170,000 from the B.C. government’s Growing Communities fund.
Concerns and Opposition
John Archer resigned from the Parks and Recreation Committee to speak out against the plan. He said noise and parking problems worry him. “This park is perfect the way it is,” Archer said after launching the petition on May 24 near Skaha Lake.
He also raised concerns about an old-growth tree’s health and the pouring of concrete in the area. Archer said the committee and citizens were not fully informed before the plan was approved in 2024.
“There’s nothing wrong with the process, it’s just that I don’t feel we were fully informed about its finality. Given the concerns of the committee and citizens, I don’t see why they can’t revisit this.” – (Archer)
City Response
Councillor Isaac Gilbert, the city council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Committee, said the plan will not be reconsidered. “I’m not going to revisit the pickleball courts,” Gilbert said. He explained the plan passed through the proper process and city budget.
“It went through the process and has been put through our financial plan and bylaw.” – (Gilbert)
Gilbert defended the choice of location, saying it is more cost-effective and better for the environment than other options. “Out of all three options, it’s the best one I saw,” he said. He added the project will only remove 12 feet of grass, one tennis court, and no trees. The plan also repaves the tennis court area while keeping green space loss minimal.
“In terms of where it’s placed, we’re only taking out about 12 feet of grass, only dropping one tennis court out of the three and no trees will be impacted. It also repaves the pavement for the tennis courts and takes out very minimal green space compared to trying to build four courts somewhere else in the city.” – (Gilbert)
Next Steps
Councillor Gilbert said the city hopes to improve how it works with the Parks and Recreation Committee on future projects. Archer continues to gather signatures in person and said support for his petition is growing. He has not yet created an online petition.
News in Brief: Skaha Lake’s Pickleball Plan
John Archer leads a petition against new pickleball courts planned at Skaha Lake Park in Penticton. The $270,000 project will remove one tennis court for four pickleball courts. City officials say the project is the best option and will not be reconsidered. The petition has about 150 signatures.
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