Nelson Pickleball Club Advocates for New Multi-Purpose Facility to Meet Growing Demand

The Nelson Pickleball Club is requesting a new multi-purpose facility to accommodate its rapid growth. The club made its case to Recreation Commission No. 5 (Rec 5), asking for a full-size gymnasium at the local recreation center. This request comes as pickleball gains popularity in the city, with many residents eager to join the sport.

Current Limitations on Space and Membership

Douglas Farquharson, representing the Nelson Pickleball Club, spoke to Rec. 5 last month about the need for more space. Currently, the club rents Selkirk College’s Mary Hall for only 15.5 hours each week, costing $3,200 per month.

“That’s all we can get for time slots, and we can’t expand past 100 members, much to the annoyance of many other people that would like to join because we simply don’t have the space.” – (Farquharson)

Due to this limitation, the club cannot accept new members during the winter. In the summer of 2024, the outdoor membership reached 176, but many more play at the facility without being members.

“There are hundreds that use the (Mary Hall) facility that aren’t members in the winter because they can’t join the club.” – (Farquharson)

Growing Demand for Indoor Pickleball Courts

The club’s waitlist continues to grow, highlighting the demand for more indoor courts. The inability to host tournaments is also a concern, as these events can draw hundreds of players.

“What we need is … the creation of six indoor, accessible, dedicated pickleball courts. It would accommodate the rapid growth of the sport across all ages and skill level, and allow skill development and the organization of local tournaments.” – (Farquharson)

He believes that having such a facility would accommodate the rapid growth of the sport across all ages and skill levels. Farquharson recognized the logistical challenges of creating a multi-purpose facility.

“If it was a multi-purpose kind of thing, it would need no less than six spaces to host tournaments.” – (Farquharson)

He acknowledged the demands that would be placed on the facility, stating, “We don’t envy the task that you have to juggle” when it comes to booking.

Next Steps for the Proposal

The request for a new facility was not immediately approved, as Rec. 5 lacks the finances and authority to create such a space. However, the commission is open to supporting a feasibility study to explore how more courts could be built in Nelson.

“This service doesn’t take on new activities without going through a very formal process, laid out in our bylaw, and that includes getting the consent of the participants for taxation. The first step would be to have a fairly rigorous feasibility study done.” – (Farquharson)

Additionally, there may be space available in the proposed Nelson Cares building that could accommodate the club’s request. This could lead to a potential partnership that benefits the pickleball community and the recreation center.

News in Brief: Nelson Pickleball Club