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Pickleball blowing up in Greater Victoria BԪַ along with efforts to dampen noise

PlayersBԪַ association president tests noise reducing paddle to start the year

Even on a soggy January day, the thwacking sound of pickleball echoes faintly from behind the playground in Beacon Hill Park.

The duo paddling back and forth are alone mid-winter, but come spring the trio of courts will face lineups of people looking to play.

Victoria Regional Pickleball Association reported a 300-per-cent jump in membership since October 2021, with 680 members in July 2023. Today that membership is officially 870, president Connie McCann said courtside.

The courts took off BԪַlike a cannonballBԪַ once they were created, after others in the area were closed to resolve noise impacts on neighbouring residents. It seemed an acknowledgment of the need by the city, McCann said, adding they included nice touches in signage and are considering more picnic tables in the area.

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Victoria spearheaded the regional pickleball study underway by the four-core communities: Saanich, Victoria, Esquimalt and Oak Bay. While the sport is much larger, the two men playing on the court behind her, for example, arenBԪַt members of the association and the Saanich Peninsula has its own group.

BԪַThatBԪַs (four core) where weBԪַre doing a huge amount of our work. But the other municipalities will be able to glean some really good points from that study, which I believe staff have seen the first draft of,BԪַ she said, adding itBԪַs about 58 pages.

BԪַI am sure the first 25 are going to talk about how this sport is on fire. The growth is amazing. The social attributes, the accessibility, the affordability, because that is what this sport is about.BԪַ

McCann is also aware it should, and likely will, mention noise.

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But that report wonBԪַt be out until later in the winter or early spring. In the meantime, membership is active in sharing their thoughts, opinions and expertise.

BԪַThereBԪַs going to be some interesting recommendations that come out of that. VRPA will be prepared to put the professional voice on the sound of pickleball,BԪַ she said.

What she also knows is that 1,000 people responded to the survey, likely including many of the nearly 900 members and hopefully including those who live near courts.

The need, she says, is for both appropriately placed outdoor and indoor courts in the region.

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Connie McCann, president of the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, practises with a quieter OWL paddle at the city courts in Beacon Hill Park. (Christine van Reeuwyk/BԪַ Staff)

On the bigger scale, they want to see a dedicated 12-court indoor facility that would allow the region to host provisional or national championships.

BԪַThat would just be a feather in our cap for the region.BԪַ

What it also does is bring the sport indoors, a significant sound reduction, and gives players a home.

Socialization is key aspect of the sport, McCann said.

BԪַSo many emails we get are BԪַWhere can I play? This is full. This is full. Where can I go?BԪַ We want to direct them to BԪַ and we want to be part of and weBԪַre willing to put money up for BԪַ a 12-court indoor facility.BԪַ

Victoria also impressed the president with its temporary pickleball courts coming to Crystal Garden Jan. 9 to Feb. 18. The city even purchased appropriate flooring, she noted, that can be moved to other temporary sites.

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Early sound-dampening initiatives BԪַ such as foam balls floated in Oak Bay years ago BԪַ are out of the question.

BԪַYou donBԪַt ask golfers to play with a foam ball,BԪַ McCann said.

Technology is seeking answers for both those who live near courts and players. For example, McCann is trying a new BԪַbreakthrough paddleBԪַ this month. Designed to diminish sound it appears coated in fabric, and clearly dampens sound.

BԪַLike any sport there is a range of equipment, depending on the size of your hand, the strength of your arms, your style of play, you want to have a choice. This may become one of the choices for people playing in courts too close to houses,BԪַ she said, gesturing with the OWL paddle. BԪַThere are 300 paddle-makers and theyBԪַre all trying BԪַ this will help get us to that point.BԪַ

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More courts are needed as the sport of pickleball gathers steam on the south Island, says Victoria association president Connie McCann. (Christine van Reeuwyk/BԪַ Staff)


About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

Longtime journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
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