267 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Tennis players have long complained about the lack of courts and competition for space. 

 

Long ago they did, now there are much fewer tennis players.  The only recent tennis news was more advanced players looking for qualify clay courts.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 April 2022 - 06:50 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

So the question I have, is why isn’t it ok for kids to play tag or for adults to play soccer at public lawn bowling fields?

 

I don't know.  Whenever I see a park sign that says "no ball sports" or similar, I think "pound sand, Karens".  I personally love playing 36 holes at Beacon Hill Park.  I like the challenge of the water traps off Douglas.  Fore!

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 April 2022 - 06:54 AM.

[Mike K.]

Anyways, the pickleballers have proven they can setup and play anywhere with their centennial square court. They can play in empty parking lots. I mean we grew up playing hockey on streets.

[Victoria Watcher]

Anyways, the pickleballers have proven they can setup and play anywhere with their centennial square court.

 

That's kind of what I thought too.  Lots of government worker parking lots in James Bay short of cars Sa/Su.  As long as they don't get in the way of my rugby matches and British Bulldog/Red Rover games I've scheduled for the legislature lawn all summer.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 April 2022 - 07:02 AM.

[Mike K.]

Can’t you do that on the cricket pitch at BHP? Next to the yoga classes?

[Victoria Watcher]

Maybe they could set up at picnic point.

[Mike K.]

Way too many pedestrians there, picnicking.

[todd]

Pickle picnic, pickle picnic, pickle picnic.

[Mike K.]

Centennial Park in Central Saanich will see some changes soon:

A new multi-sport facility is coming to Centennial Park thanks to a $2M grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Centennial Multi-Sport Box will host a variety of sports and recreation programs and accommodate many user groups. The facility will be home to the Peninsula Warriors Lacrosse Association and used for other sports and fitness programs. Boasting 17,000 square feet of surface, a roof and lighting, the facility will increase access to year-round all weather outdoor recreational activities for Central Saanich and the region.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to add this facility to our community and know it will add more opportunities for recreation in all seasons,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “The pandemic has shown us the advantages of having outdoor, covered spaces that are multi-functional, and has also reinforced the physical and mental health benefits of recreation.”

The new facility will be built in the location where the District’s 40-year old lacrosse box currently stands. The project will also include adding walkways from the lawn bowling facility and from Wallace Road.

The District will be receiving grant funding of $2,012,908, of which 40 per cent is from the Government of Canada and 33 per cent from the Province of British Columbia; the remainder will be funded from the District’s reserve funds.

Preliminary work on the project will begin this spring with detailed design and costing in late 2022 and construction starting in 2023.

[Nparker]

But will they permit pickleball?

[Victoria Watcher]

Victoria council has asked city staff to look into allowing pickle­ball on a trial basis on one of the tennis courts in Beacon Hill Park, despite fears it could stir up trouble with tennis players.

While staff warned that courts in Beacon Hill Park and Stadacona Park are heavily used by tennis players and any ­introduction of pickleball was likely to create conflict between the two groups, some councillors seemed intent on re-establishing a pickleball option in James Bay.

Coun. Ben Isitt said since there has been a growing take-up of the sport and a lack of suitable courts, it might be time to reconsider Beacon Hill Park. He suggested that at least one of the park’s three courts be made available to pickleball users on a trial basis.


https://www.timescol...riction-5272313

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 April 2022 - 03:55 AM.

[LJ]

Anyone with a decent sized yard could put in their own court. If I was restricted from playing on public courts because neighbours complained that would be just enough motivation for me to do this. Then invite all the "regulars" over to play.

[Victoria Watcher]

The City of Victoria will set up dedicated pickleball courts in Beacon Hill Park, responding to an outcry after it banned pickleball play in James Bay’s Todd Park because of noise complaints.

 

In what is being billed as a pilot project for the sport, which is surging in popularity, the city has agreed to establish at least two courts on what used to be the Arbutus Way parking lot near Goodacre Lake inside Beacon Hill Park.

 

“It’s very exciting news. It really came together quite nicely,” said Connie McCann, president of the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association. “It is quite a nice space.”

 

McCann said they understand the arrangement is just a pilot project, and they are hoping they might be able to squeeze in as many as three courts.

 

 

https://www.timescol...project-5299958

[Victoria Watcher]

Two new Pickleball courts proposed by the City of Victoria despite area being subject of human rights case

 

 

 

https://www.cheknews...s-case-1017673/

 

 

 

 

“There is no access to the north end of the park for people with disabilities who used to enjoy driving through or use these parking spots to get to things that were very close,” says Robin Bayley, an advocate for people with disabilities.

 

Also, the proposition of these new courts in an area supposedly facing a human rights case didn’t make sense.

 

“I’m not sure why the city would want to have a pilot for something in an area that’s currently being looked at from an accessibility perspective and a discrimination perspective,” says Susan Simmons, a disability advocate.

 

Victoria city councillor and 2022 mayoral candidate, Stephen Andrew tweeted he sees it as a “temporary emergency solution,” and believes the road will be forced to re-open once a human rights decision is handed down.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 April 2022 - 09:11 AM.

[Nparker]

Pickleball courts require a "temporary emergency solution"? 

[Victoria Watcher]

Sandwiched in between Mother’s Day weekend and the May long weekend, the NQCA is hosting a family barbecue/picnic event at Beckwith Park on Sunday, May 15. The day will feature live music at noon with the Best Coast Big Band and Zonnis Music at 2 p.m., free sessions for yoga and karate, a healthy living workshop, and possibly an appearance from members of the Lake Hill Lawn Bowling Club.

 

A three-on-three basketball tournament at the park is also in the works and openings remain for teams, Barry said. The goal is to have enough entries to create three age group divisions, but regardless, the aim is to make it a fun event.

 

Lake Hill’s Ambassador Park is the place to be on the Saturday, with the scheduled Little League baseball on tap, live music to follow at 4 p.m. and Chef Dave’s Dugout concession open throughout.

 

 

 

https://www.vicnews....-neighbourhood/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 May 2022 - 04:13 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

A new Langford park will be named Flying Firemen Park in honour of Alexander Davidson and Robert (Paddy) Moore, who died flying a water bomber above Skirt Mountain in the summer of 1967.

 

The park, located at 1851 Bear Mountain Pkwy., is currently under construction and is the nearest park to the crash site of Davidson’s and Moore’s plane. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the crash.

 

The pair started their flying careers in the Second World War with the Royal Air Force pilots, and in mid-1960s Davidson recruited Moore to fly water bombers with the BC Forest Service. They flew out of the Patricia Bay airport, collecting water from the Saanich Inlet and dumping it on wildfires in the area. In the summer of 1967, the pair spent hours fighting a wildfire on Skirt Mountain. During that mission, the wing of their plane clipped a tree sending them into a fatal crash on the side of the mountain.

 

 

 

https://www.vicnews....d-water-bomber/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 May 2022 - 05:40 AM.

[Mike K.]

Langford has built the most new municipal parkland over the last three decades than all of the other munis combined.

[dasmo]

 

A new Langford park will be named Flying Firemen Park in honour of Alexander Davidson and Robert (Paddy) Moore, who died flying a water bomber above Skirt Mountain in the summer of 1967.

 

The park, located at 1851 Bear Mountain Pkwy., is currently under construction and is the nearest park to the crash site of Davidson’s and Moore’s plane. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the crash.

 

The pair started their flying careers in the Second World War with the Royal Air Force pilots, and in mid-1960s Davidson recruited Moore to fly water bombers with the BC Forest Service. They flew out of the Patricia Bay airport, collecting water from the Saanich Inlet and dumping it on wildfires in the area. In the summer of 1967, the pair spent hours fighting a wildfire on Skirt Mountain. During that mission, the wing of their plane clipped a tree sending them into a fatal crash on the side of the mountain.

 

 

 

https://www.vicnews....d-water-bomber/

 

That's pretty cool. Worthy honour. 

[marks_28]

Langford has built the most new municipal parkland over the last three decades than all of the other munis combined.

 

How about net new parkland? Accounting for the amount of greenspace in Langford that has been clearcut?