Imagine for a moment the joy and fulfillment you find in your favourite activity. Perhaps it's the simple pleasure of taking your children to a local playground, where every swing and slide brings smiles and new friendships. Or maybe it's the serenity of a nearby public beach, where the gentle waves offer respite from daily life. Perhaps it's the thrill of riding your bike with friends along trails and bike lanes, each ride a testament to the bond you share.

Now, picture this: your children's beloved playground is closed, silenced by complaints about the noise of their laughter. The cherished beach you frequented is now off-limits, reduced to a distant memory due to parking concerns. The bike lanes that once connected all of Greater Victoria, now neglected because they were not deemed a district responsibility. What once brought you joy and kept you active is now out of reach, leaving you scrambling for alternatives.

This is the heartache currently endured by pickleball players in North Saanich. Their cherished Wain Park pickleball courts, a sanctuary where hundreds came together to find community and joy, have been abruptly shut down. The local government, swayed by a few vocal complaints, dismissed practical sound mitigation solutions that could have balanced the needs of both nearby residents and the vibrant pickleball community. Instead, they chose to ignore the voices of hundreds and disregard the well-being of many. 

Imagine how it would feel if your favorite activities were taken away simply because a few people voiced complaints, leaving you unheard and unvalued. This is not just about pickleball; it's about the principles of fairness, respect, and community spirit.

(Note: all the playground, beach access and bike lane arguments mentioned above are not hypothetical, they have been used against pickleball.)

Please, stand with us in this crucial moment. If our roles were reversed, we would stand with you. Together, let's ensure that no community's voice is silenced and that joy remains within reach for everyone.

A GoFundMe campaign is underway to save the Wain Road Pickleball Courts (search: save Wain Road pickleball courts). Your support, whether big or small, can help reopen this precious resource.

Sophie Lauro
North Saanich