Pickleballers being played

When the former mayor and council, in 2021, abruptly scrapped the Parkinson Recreation Centre they unanimously approved ($240 million including interest) in favour of one that would cost $200 million more ($440 million with interest), part of the justification from city staff was that there would now be plenty of pickleball courts.

Pickleballers endorsed the change.

Now the city has bought the Michaelbrook Golf Course to convert it to to baseball fields (as per the official city plan). Only after being reminded baseball fields are used 10% to 15% of the time compared to a golf course, which is played (seasonally) sun-up to sundown, city officials threw in some pickleball courts to gather support. Great, more pickleball courts.

Now Denciti, the developer of the Kelowna Springs Golf Course and flood plain has caught on and is making a spot where pickleballers can install a dome for more courts the focal point of its (plan to eliminate) of the back nine holes (53 acres). The local pickleball club really likes this offer.

In the interim, Kelowna has approved a $750,000 city sign north of the city that few will see as they speed past, approved a $500,000 Kelowna sign on the waterfront and a $750,000 dog run next to the tennis courts in City Park. The latter two sites are perfect for pickleball.

Pickleballers, can you see what is being prioritized ahead of your courts?

Golf courses do not need to be destroyed to fit in pickleball courts. In this serious game, pickleballers are being played.

Don Henderson, Kelowna