The Nanoose Bay Pickleball Club is moving ahead with plans to add a new practice rebound board at the Jack Bagley Community Park courts in Nanoose Bay. The Regional District of Nanaimo approved this idea on July 3. The club will fundraise, design, and build the board with the help of volunteers.
Busy Courts with Helpful Upgrades
The courts were built two years ago by the Regional District of Nanaimo and have become a busy place for over 200 club members. Most players live in Electoral Area E. The club has already helped improve the space by adding a blue windscreen that blocks the wind and makes games easier. They also put up a cable so people can hang their bags and clothes while they play.
Why a Practice Board Is Needed
Ken Collingwood, the club’s president, shared why a rebound board is important. “A practice board enables both pickleball and tennis players to practice their strokes against a hard surface by themselves at any time without necessarily having playing partners,” he said. He also explained that these boards are common in many public courts in British Columbia.
Buying a ready-made board would cost about $15,000. Because this is expensive, the club plans to build a board themselves. Members with woodworking and building skills have offered to help. They plan to use marine-grade plywood and bonded starboard for a strong, long-lasting surface.
Next Steps and Approval
This pickleball club will create a detailed plan and share it with the Regional District of Nanaimo. All plans and materials must be approved before the project starts. The board will be placed along the back fence and will not take up space on the court.
The Electoral Area Services Committee supported the idea and gave permission to start fundraising and building. The practice board will be free to use for all players in the community. With the project moving forward, the club hopes it will help everyone practice and enjoy pickleball even more.
News in Brief: Nanoose Bay Pickleball Club
The Nanoose Bay Pickleball Club got approval to build a practice rebound board at Jack Bagley Community Park. Volunteers will help build the board after fundraising. The board will give players a way to practice alone and make the courts even more useful for the community.
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