A group of Nelson pickleball players want the city to make the sport more accessible by installing permanent public nets at Lakeside Park.
During Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, long-time Nelson resident Anne Cohen told council that while pickleball continues to grow in popularity, there are no public courts in the city with permanent nets.
“Unfortunately, Nelson doesn’t have any public pickleball,” said Cohen. “We do have pickleball courts, but they’re not public. So, the regular person, you can’t play unless you’re a member of the club.”
Cohen said one of the tennis courts at Lakeside Park already has pickleball lines painted on it, but players have to bring their own portable nets.
“When we’re finished, we have to take that net down and nobody else can use it.”
She told councillors that pickleball is now being taught in local schools and is attracting players of all ages.
“The problem is they learn it at school and there’s no place for them to practice,” Cohen said. “It is the fastest going sport in North America and it’s probably the fastest growing sport in Nelson. It appeals to all age groups, from kids to older people like myself.”
She compared Nelson with several nearby communities, including Trail, Grand Forks, Fruitvale, Salmo and Creston, all of which she said have free public pickleball courts with permanent nets.
“Right now there’s three tennis courts. We’re asking for one. And in one tennis court we can get two pickleball courts. That’s all we’re asking.”
Rather than constructing a new facility, Cohen said the group is asking the city to install four posts and two nets on an existing court.
“Two courts would be a start,” she said. “It would give me a chance to play, my grandkids a chance to play, and visitors a chance to play.”
Councillor Rik Logtenberg moved to refer the request to staff for a report on possible next steps.
“I’ll make a motion to refer this to our next business meeting or to staff to bring it back for action,” he said.
Council unanimously supported the referral.
Councillor Keith Page also encouraged the group to bring its proposal to the Nelson and District Recreation Commission, which helps plan recreation priorities for the community.
He pointed to Nelson Hoops as an example of a community group that successfully partnered with the city to improve recreational facilities through fundraising.
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