Richmond’s Big Bet on Pickleball Courts: Richmond’s 2025 capital budget, valued at $152.6 million, has garnered attention, particularly due to the inclusion of a project that would add four new pickleball courts at South Arm Community Park. While the budget covers 78 capital projects, some disagreements surfaced during the discussions, notably over the proposed $800,000 cost for the courts.
Pickleball Courts a Highlight Amid Budget Discussions
The proposed $800,000 project would bring the total number of public pickleball courts in Richmond to 13. As discussions progressed, it became clear that pickleball’s rapid growth in popularity had made it a key point of contention.
City staff emphasized that pickleball, often referred to as the fastest-growing sport in North America, presents a low barrier to entry and a social environment that appeals to many. Coun. Bill McNulty was among those raising concerns about the cost. He questioned whether the $800,000 could stretch further to build additional courts.
Staff, however, pointed out that the price tag was driven by factors such as the necessary infrastructure, sound attenuation, location, surfacing, lighting, and proximity to amenities, all contributing to the higher-than-expected costs.
“Will that $800,000 go further? Can we squeeze more courts in for that?” – (Bill McNulty)
Councillors Debate Price Tag and Value
Coun. Alexa Loo voiced her concerns about the price, comparing it to a recent pump track project, which she felt offered more value for less money. She also pointed out that four pickleball courts could fit on a tennis court, asking, “Is it gold?”
“It seems expensive; it seems to me we were able to build that pump track that seemed to have a lot more stuff going on for a lot less money. Four pickleball courts basically fit on a tennis court, so is it gold?” – (Alexa Loo)
The debate took a more comparative turn when Loo compared the pickleball project to the $4 million cost of a curling club, which serves fewer than 300 members. She argued that for $800,000, a far greater number of people would benefit from the pickleball courts.
“There’s 700 (pickleball) members, so for $800,000 you can get a whole bunch of them playing. Versus if we look at how much the curling club is, it’s $4 million and there’s fewer than 300 members; so we’re spending a lot of money on a few people.” – (Alexa Loo)
“I don’t agree with everything for 2025, but at the end of the day I think this is a decent capital budget put forward by our staff. We can study the depth of pickleball courts for years, it’s $800,000, we’ve agreed to it, let’s move forward.” – (Kash Heed)
Coun. Kash Heed, however, encouraged the council to move forward with the budget, emphasizing that while there were areas of disagreement, the proposal was generally a sound one. “Let’s move forward,” he concluded, urging his colleagues to focus on the bigger picture rather than delving into endless discussions about the cost.
Budget Passes with Opposition on Specific Items
The capital budget passed swiftly, with the exception of Coun. Michael Wolfe, who voted against it. Wolfe expressed his concerns over the funding source for a proposed $5 million fire vehicle replacement reserve project, which would replace four frontline fire vehicles and a high-flow industrial pumper. He objected to the use of the emergency response fuel facility reserve to fund this project, which he felt was meant for other purposes.
“As I mentioned a few weeks ago, it’s not the $5 million cost… it’s the funding source. I don’t see why there was any need to use the emergency response fuel facility reserve… we’re draining $5 million out of something that was intended for something else.” – (Wolfe)
Additionally, Wolfe took issue with phase one of a $2.5 million public safety camera system project, which would install 48 high-definition cameras across 10 intersections in Richmond. He believed that the high operating costs associated with this project would become a financial burden in the future.
“I’m not supportive of the capital budget because it includes that. And it’s just phase one of what I anticipate will be a $13 million or more total project with a very high operating budget impact going forward.” – (Wolfe)
Other Notable Projects in the 2025 Budget
Beyond the pickleball courts, the capital budget includes a number of other major projects, such as a $7 million investment in electric vehicle stations throughout Richmond, $4.5 million to renew the Richmond Ice Centre’s interior, and $1.5 million to upgrade the playground at Hugh Boyd Community Park. These projects, along with the pickleball court initiative, make up the city’s ambitious plan for the coming year.
News in Brief: Richmond’s Big Bet on Pickleball Courts
Richmond’s 2025 capital budget, totaling $152.6 million, includes an $800,000 proposal to add four new pickleball courts at South Arm Community Park. While the city’s growth in pickleball popularity is a driving factor, some councillors raised concerns about the high costs.
Other notable budget items include a $7 million investment in electric vehicle stations and a $4.5 million renovation of the Richmond Ice Centre. The budget passed despite opposition from Coun. Michael Wolfe, who objected to specific funding sources and high operating costs for some projects.
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