Former Lake Cowichan councillor Kristine Sandhu complained to the town’s parks committee April 4 that a decision to change the Cowichan Avenue tennis courts over to pickleball was made before people really had a chance to comment.
The source of her concern was an announcement made on Facebook on March 21 saying, “The Town is planning on converting the tennis courts on Cowichan Avenue in its entirety to pickle ball use. The improvements to the facility are being made possible by a large donation [which council confirmed April 4 was $50,000] from a generous taxpayer. Council welcomes input on this matter from the public. Please note that as part of the next phase of the Centennial Park improvements, tennis courts are anticipated to be included in that phase.”
This bald message, coming as it did without wider notice, was not the way to go, Sandhu said.
“You should have had a public meeting. For the last six weeks the public has had no idea what’s going on,” she said, adding that many Lake Cowichan residents do not have access to Facebook.
“We have waited a long time for tennis courts in Lake Cowichan. Now, we have $50,000 of private funds which can define the use of that place.”
Sandhu said she had always understood that the Cowichan Lake tennis courts were built for multiple uses, and that she had no problem with pickleball players using them temporarily until a court could be built for them as part of the renovation of Centennial Park.
Coun. Bob Day told her that holding meetings to hear from the public has not been successful in the past because only a handful of people show up to sessions held on a variety of important subjects.
Mayor Ross Forrest said there are few people who play tennis.
“I hate to see a facility not used,” he said, adding that the pickleball group is hoping to bring a tournament to Lake Cowichan, and from his personal experience with ball tournaments, these events support the economy by bringing people into town.
Forrest said he has researched the situation and found that “only four people play tennis there.”
Sandhu was not finished, though.
“How many local residents are members of the pickleball group?” she asked.
Coun. Lorna Vomacka told her that there are more than 50 members in a growing sport that attracts many seniors.
Forrest reminded Sandu that councils have been talking for years about ways to see Lake Cowichan seniors get more physical activity.
“This hasn’t happened in the past six weeks,” he said. “This donation happened close to a year ago. I know there are a few people who are not happy with this decision but I’m happy.”
Sandhu tried once more.
“Private money talked,” she said. “If it wasn’t for that money you wouldn’t be converting it.”
Forrest disagreed, saying, “We would still be doing it. Maybe not this year because our budget didn’t have room for it. But it would have happened. More than 50 per cent of the34 comments on Facebook were favourable. It’s not like we were trying to hide anything. We’ve tried to get the public out. They don’t show up. You’re only one person here tonight. We’re not trying to push tennis away.
“This donation is really helping us because we’re not using taxpayers’ money.”
Coun. Tim McGonigle added, “We don’t want to displace anybody. I don’t think this was a mistake but I think it could have been handled more publicly.”
Sandhu thanked council for listening.
“I’m satisfied with the information I’ve heard,” she said.