The District of North Saanich is working on how to stop pickleball players who flout posted hours of play at Wain Park, after plans fell through for a security firm to lock up the courts after hours.
In a May report, staff said pickleball has generated complaints about noise, parking and people playing after posted hours, which end at 4 p.m. on Sunday, 6 p.m. on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
“Staff are not able to enforce compliance to court times, as courts close after work hours, and enforcement by the RCMP is not a justifiable priority,” staff said.
In a June report, staff floated the possibility of installing timed locks or hiring a security firm to lock up and enforce hours at the courts. The latter suggestion received council approval.
“What happens is that on certain days of high use, some users play past posted hours,” said Ben Martin, the district’s director of infrastructure services. “The courts are quite successful in terms of participation and play, however it does have impacts on the adjacent community in terms of noise.”
In the end, however, the security firm was unable to perform the lock-ups, and staff are back at square one, Martin said. “We’re looking at some other options to try to get something in place for September,” he said. “The district is committed to try and find a balance.”
Pickleball noise mitigation has been an ongoing topic for the district since the courts were constructed in 2017.
“Since opening, staff have continually received public correspondence that both strongly support and oppose the courts,” said the May staff report. “Jurisdictions in the region are experiencing similar public feedback with their pickleball facilities.”
This year, pickleball players in Victoria were banned from some tennis courts due to noise complaints.
