Penticton Park Pickleball Court Controversy: A plan to build four new pickleball courts at Skaha Lake Park in Penticton, British Columbia, is moving forward despite noise and parking concerns raised by residents. The $270,000 project, set to be completed by Labour Day weekend, will remove one of the park’s three tennis courts.
Opposition from the Community
John Archer, former chair of the Penticton Parks and Recreation Committee, spoke against the project at the city council’s July 15 meeting. He raised concerns about noise, concrete pouring, parking, a nearby old-growth tree, and lack of public input.
Archer started a petition on May 24 to stop the project and gathered 178 signatures. He hoped the council would reconsider, but no notice of motion was brought forward.
I was terribly disappointed that neither the mayor nor any member of council actioned my request for a motion to stop the development of the pickleball courts and return the matter to the Parks and Recreation Committee for a comprehensive review of the pickleball association’s request for funding,” John Archer said in an email.
“There is a need for engagement of the community for their valued input into the issue,” he added.
Funding and Approval
The project was already approved before the July 15 meeting. It is funded through a $100,000 donation from the Penticton Pickleball Club and a $170,000 provincial grant. Archer resigned from the Parks Committee earlier this year, saying the group was not involved properly during the planning.
Noise and Popularity of Pickleball
Pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in North America. But its rise has brought noise complaints across many cities, including Halifax and Portland, Oregon.
In 2023, the BC Recreation and Parks Association did a noise study on pickleball. The report said that a court with active play creates 55 to 57 decibels of sound—similar to a household refrigerator, according to Yale University.
Penticton City Councillor Jason Reynen visited the courts near Robson Park to judge the noise level for himself.
It isn’t all that bad of noise coming from those pickleball courts,” Jason Reynen said in a phone interview. “To me, personally, for the (nearby) residents worried about the noise issues, they’re through all the trees. I’d be very hard pressed to think they’re going to hear anything that’s going to disturb them.”
Reynen also mentioned the sport’s broad appeal. “I get we’re going to have some noise and disruption, but by any means, I think laughter and people having a good time outside is what we want in Penticton,” he said.
Support and Future Plans
Archer’s petition was supported by former councillor Judy Sentes and members of the Save Skaha Lake Park Society. This group began in 2015 to fight a proposed water slide at the same park.
“I will always advocate for the preservation of the cherished parks,” John Archer said on July 16. “The city needs more parks and I will advocate for that as well.”
The city also plans to upgrade two existing tennis courts at Skaha Lake Park as part of the same project.
News in Brief: Penticton Park Pickleball Court Controversy
Despite public objections, Penticton will build four new pickleball courts at Skaha Lake Park. Concerns over noise and lack of consultation did not stop the $270,000 project. City leaders say the sport’s popularity outweighs the complaints. The courts are expected to open by Labour Day weekend.
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