Work to establish six new purpose-built pickleball courts, a tennis court and other amenities at Fowler Park near Cordova Bay Golf Course is expected to get underway this summer.
On Monday night, Saanich council unanimously endorsed a proposal agreed upon by the community and staff to turn the park into a recreational hub.
Coun. Judy Brownoff, chair of the district’s natural areas, parks and trails committee, said the proposal is in response to the surging popularity of pickleball.
She noted a recent tournament at Pearkes Recreation Centre filled up with applicants in three minutes and had a wait list of more than 300 would-be players.
Fowler Park, bordered by Fowler Road, Hunt Road and the Lochside Trail to the west of Cordova Bay Golf Course, is a green space where Saanich has established temporary dog parks.
The court complex would include a washroom, bike hub with parking, a children’s play area, pathways and new trees. Sound reduction would be built into the project, since pickleball can be noisy.
The next step in the process is to establish a budget for the project and find space in the 2024 municipal budget to bring it to life.
Crews have already started moving dirt on the site in anticipation of the project getting the green light.
Saanich has a total of 15 indoor pickleball courts at Saanich Commonwealth Place, Pearkes Recreation Centre and Cedar Hill Recreation Centre and another 13 outdoor courts, though two of those at Tolmie Park would be phased out when the Fowler recreation hub is established.
The Tolmie courts, like Todd Park in James Bay, have attracted noise complaints since they were established.
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