Dog owners and pickeball fans hoping for recreational space in Royal Bay's new Quarry Park will have to look elsewhere, as a proposal to include facilities in the expansion plan has been shelved.

Councillors were told at a meeting on Monday (Nov. 25) that the land available for the Quarry Park expansion does not have enough space available to include an off-leash dog park and multi-sport courts.

Instead city staff will look for alternative locations in South Colwood for dedicated off-leash dog parks and multi-sports courts.

The possible inclusion of the facilities had been requested by the city's Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee in October.

According to a staff report, the only available space for an off-leash dog area in the Quarry Park expansion plan is "undersized" compared to best practices. 

In addition, the area would have to be fully fenced, which could exacerbate potential dog behaviour issues, explained Vanessa Walton, a landscape architect from Lanarc Consultants, at the Nov. 25 meeting.

The landscape architect also noted the proposed location of multi-sport courts in Quarry Park had the potential to create tension with neighbouring residents.

"In several communities across B.C., and in our parks planning experience, locating pickeball in close proximity to residential areas, really results in quite a few noise complaints," said Walton.

Inclusion of the multi-sport courts would also result in the loss of the dedicated "future build-out" space for the proposed Colwood community centre.

Construction of phase one of Quarry Park, which sits adjacent to a site earmarked for a new elementary school, is already well underway. Expected to be completed in spring 2025, the park will include a bike park, a pedestrian plaza and a playground.

The Quarry Park expansion draft plan includes a synthetic turf field, flexible field space, space for a potential community centre and park washrooms.

The expansion plans would increase the size of Quarry Park from 11.2 acres to just shy of 16 acres.

Concern about the use of synthetic turf was raised by Coun. Cynthia Day, who highlighted potential risks to public health and the environment.

But there was reassurance from the city's senior planner Matt Blakely, who said staff will explore the use of alternative "environmental and health conscious" materials.

At the meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed the draft Quarry Park expansion plan. Staff will return at a later date with a funding and implementation timeline.