site grading has been completed in advance of construction a new eight-court outdoor pickleball facility on the south side of Beban Park . (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

emerging sport

New Nanaimo pickleball courts under construction

Aug 10, 2024 | 10:40 AM

NANAIMO — Crews have begun site preparation at Beban Park for a substantial new pickleball facility expected to open in October.

The City’s manager of parks operations Charlotte Davis said nearly $520,000 is budgeted for the new courts near the entrance of the Beban Park Golf Course and Driving Range.

She noted in short order the contentious pickleball courts at central Nanaimo’s Beaufort Park will be shut down, with the hard playing surface expected to be repurposed into some form of recreation space by the end of the year.

“We are responding to some concerns from the Beaufort community in preserving neighbourhood peace there, but also we’re creating a new excellent pickleball facility with eight new pickleball courts at Beban Park.”

The increasingly popular pickleball sport initially made inroads at Beban Park where a portion of the neighbouring tennis courts were converted into pickleball spaces in 2015 on a trial basis, which later became a permanent addition for the emerging sport.

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Several other smaller pickleball courts have since sprung up around Nanaimo.

Citing BC Parks and Recreation Association research, Davis said the entity made recommendations on the placement of pickleball courts, which have been the source of noise complaints from nearby residents in several B.C. communities due to balls constantly rattling off paddles.

Davis noted the social nature of pickleball also adds to the noise rubbing nearby residents the wrong way.

“I’m really pleased to say that the new courts at Beban will be more than 260 meters away to the nearest home and we’re recommended that we must be at least 105 meters away, so we’re achieving that here. Those courts at Bufort were so close to residential homes so it’s great that we’re moving them out.”

Courts at Beaufort Park are well used, but cause several issues for neighbours. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Davis noted Beban Park is currently home to four dedicated tennis courts, two pickleball courts and a flex area which can be used for either two tennis courts or four spaces for pickleballers.

She said initial outreach indicated a split between how the existing court should be configured, meaning the City will hold off on a previously planned resurfacing and re-painting job.

“It’s better to wait and see for a good year the usage of the new courts and see what needs to be done at Beban, because obviously we’ve got two very dedicated groups here.”

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