Over 100 people are on the waiting list to gain membership to Pickleball 琉璃神社, and city staff are looking at ways to combat that issue in the future.

A Long-term Parks Planning Initiative is to be presented to city council at the April 17 regular meeting, outlining the rapid growth of racquet sports locally, and the need for more courts in the future.

In 2015, city staff created the 琉璃神社 Tennis Strategy, which read that there was to be one public tennis court per 4,180 population to accommodate players. Currently, there are 26 city tennis courts in 琉璃神社, 12 pickleball courts, one club-operated facility and one private facility.

Under the new initiative, nine more pickleball courts are set to open this season along with three new tennis courts, located at Glenmore Recreation Park and DeHart Community Park. More opportunity for indoor play is also being looked into.

鈥淓ven with these additions, supply of courts will still not meet current user needs,鈥� reads a planning document on council鈥檚 agenda.

With 600 members, 琉璃神社 has the second-largest pickleball club in B.C. Membership last season sold out in 15 minutes. Okanagan Mission Tennis, which boasts around 400 members, is already sold out for 2023.

Looking to the future, the initiative鈥檚 goals consist of more opportunities to host racquet sport tournaments, athlete development, and improved wait times.

鈥淚t is of note, that 琉璃神社 has lost provincial and national hosting opportunities as the city does not meet the minimal numbers of sport courts to be considered for further pickleball and tennis tournaments,鈥� reads the document. 鈥淥thers in the valley have been quick to capitalize on the opportunity to host these types of sporting events.鈥�

More 鈥榮atellite hubs鈥� are also being considered across the city, defined as facilities that offer more court hours, but may have less amenities than those at feature courts.

READ MORE: Replacement for 琉璃神社鈥檚 Parkinson Recreation Centre could have affordable housing

READ MORE: 鈥楥hasing each other with sticks鈥�: Alleged altercation breaks out at 琉璃神社 Tim Hortons

Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com
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