Pickleball players in Nanaimo will have some new courts to indulge their passion come Halloween.
City of Nanaimo announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony for eight pickleball courts at Beban Park, close to the golf course and driving range, will be held Thursday, Oct. 31 at 12:30 p.m.
Players will be on hand, a demonstration game held and attendees will have the opportunity to both learn about, and play, pickleball, stated a press release.
The courts are fully fenced, the city noted, and the courts feature an “anti-slip coating” and are equipped with event power and a water fountain. In addition, Nanaimo Pickleball Club provided money for the project, part of which paid for bleachers on both sides of the courts.
Meanwhile, the former pickleball courts at Beaufort Park are expected to be converted to accommodate various other forms of recreation, including basketball and street hockey, according to the press release.
The Beban Park project carried a price tag of $518,000 partially paid for with B.C. government’s community works fund and Canadian government’s community-building fund money.
With swimming, skating, BMX, mountain biking, tennis and golf among recreation opportunities at Beban Park, pickleball is the perfect complement, said Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog in the press release.
“The … courts are a very welcome addition to Beban Park, a jewel that has so many recreational opportunities to offer,” he said. “Pickleball is incredibly popular and I know these courts will be well-used.”
The eight courts at Beban Park are two more than were at Beaufort Park.
karl.yu@nanaimobulletin.com
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