Saturday June 14, 2025 | COLWOOD, BC [Updated June 16, 2025]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The weather was cooler than usual for a mid-June Friday morning.
But that didn’t stop a small crowd from gathering to watch some west shore elected officials play a bit of pickleball on the new courts at West Shore Parks and Recreation ahead of speeches and ribbon-cutting.
The June 13 opening event saw WSPR Chair Kimberley Guiry (a City of Langford councillor) deliver remarks at the podium, as well as WSPR CAO Grant Brown, WSPR Arena and Events Coordinator Rob Wilson, and pickleball design contractor Rory Dellow from Tomko Sports.
The ribbon-cutting featured guests Metchosin Mayor Marie-Terese Little and Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson.
Also tossing around some pickleballs on the new courts were Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi and Colwood Councillors David Grove, Dean Janttzen, Misty Olsen, and Ian Ward; Metchosin Councillor Shelly Donaldson; and Langford Councillors Colby Harder and Lillian Szpak.
Other municipal leaders in attendance included Langford Councillor Colby Harder; View Royal Councillor Alison MacKenzie; Highlands Councillor Leslie Anderson; and Langford CAO Darren Kiedyk.
Board-level commentary:
The WSPR Board is comprised of representatives of the five municipalities that own WSPR, i.e.: Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal and Highlands.
The June 12 AGM was attended by the mayors or regular councillor WSPR representatives of all five municipalities: Scott Goodmanson (Mayor, Langford), Dean Jantzen (Councillor, Colwood), Marie-Terese Little (Mayor, Metchosin), Sid Tobias (Mayor, View Royal), and Ken Williams (Mayor, Highlands). A regularly scheduled board meeting followed.
As WSPR Board Chair, Kimberley Guiry said the new pickleall courts are part of “enhancing recreational opportunities and meeting the evolving needs of our community”. She outlined that the project started with a feasibility study in July 2023, followed by an assessment of the best spot on the large WSPR property.
Metchosin Mayor Little feels that Metchosin residents could make more use of the WSPR recreation facilities and the Juan de Fuca Library Branch (of the Greater Victoria Public Library) in addition to the programming that WSPR offers off-site within Metchosin village centre. Metchosin pays $435,000 toward WSPR each year which may be considered high for such a small rural community.
The lion’s share of WSPR revenues and the greatest number of users are from Langford. Langford Mayor notes that more low-income recreation supports (through the provincially-funded Leisure Involvement For Everyone, i.e. LIFE) are provided to Langford residents than those of other west shore residents but staff notes that the level of LIFE use for recreation pass support is up across the Greater Victoria region in the last few years. People can apply online through their municipality using BC ID card identification.
Popular sport:
The popularity of pickleball has surged in recent years. WSPR responded with adding four dedicated pickleball courts in addition to the courts still share with tennis users. After board approval, WSPR and the contractor started the court construction in February and finished in May, with some landscape finishing touches this week.
Pickleball seems to easy to pick up as a sport for users of all skill levels and ages. Apparently it can require an increasing level of skill and game-strategy expertise after that.
Responding to the popular demand for pickleball is part of the WSPR goal that Brown describes as seeking to “inspire residents to move, learn and play for life as well as the WSPR mission to provide diverse, accessible recreation and sport opportunities for west shore residents”.
Pickleball budget:
The budget for the pickleball court project was $400,000 and the final price tag came in at $468,000 after some changes made to allow for greater asphalt skirting which will accommodate future benches and possibly a picnic table on the far side adjacent to the rock wall.
Court design:
Court design was shaped not only by a feasibility study but also through site visits to other facilities. The low fencing makes the space spectator-friendly.
The WSPR parks group prepared the site for pickleball court installation and beautified the area around it. The nearby tennis courts also saw some surface refinishing. Brown thanked Parks Supervisor Brian Wood, Arena Events Coordinator Rob Wilson, and Operations Manager Ron Dietrich for their team approach.
The Greater Victoria Pickleball Association provided feedback and suggestions.
Tomko Sports outlined the sturdy construction of the pickleball courts which includes a 2-inch asphalt base and five coats of plexi material including by Five Star Paving, Summit Survey, and a fencing company.
The pickleball courts location across from the golf fieldhouse with parking and the adjacent skatepark and tennis courts, is considered “cost effective and minimally disruptive. The decisions around the pickleball location and development were “grounded in fiscal responsibility and community benefit”, said Guiry.
Courts open daily:
The outdoor pickleball courts and other back field areas are open in summer from morning to dusk. While some of the pickleball courts require registration — and are already very popular — two courts are available for drop-in only.
- Courts 1 to 4 are available for online reservation at a rate of $16 per 2-hour session.
- Courts 5 and 6 are designated as drop-in only, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Reservations can be made online same day or up to one week in advance through the WSPR website .
There are also indoor pickleball courts at WSPR.
Coverage:
Local media on hand for the pickleball opening were CTV and Island Social Trends. Refreshments were provided by Thrifty Foods which is an official sponsor of the adjacent skatepark that opened in 2023.
WSPR communications and marketing staff took photos and video footage as part of WSPR shifting much of its marketing and internal reporting to visual.
Upcoming tournament:
On July 5, Westshore Parks & Recreation will host its first annual “Paddle Royale” Pickleball Tournament.
The event will look to bring together beginner to intermediate recreational pickleball enthusiasts for a day of spirited matches and community fun.
Held at the WSPR’s new outdoor pickleball courts, this doubles tournament features men’s and women’s divisions for the 2.0, 3.0, & 4.0 levels featuring an organized schedule, professional-grade courts, and a lively atmosphere to celebrate both athleticism and camaraderie.
Prizes, refreshments, and enthusiastic spectators.
===== RELATED:
- Opening celebration for new pickleball courts at West Shore Parks & Recreation (June 9, 2025)
- More outdoor pickleball courts coming to Westshore Parks & Recreation (October 24, 2024)
- NEWS SECTIONS: LANGFORD | COLWOOD | SPORTS & RECREATION