The most vocal criticism of the Carnarvon Park redevelopment has come from two related – but now fiercely competitive – racket sports.
The tennis versus pickleball debate continued with the release of the park’s latest master plan. The latest iteration sees pickleball loose two of an initially proposed six dedicated courts. Meanwhile tennis – which dominates the space now – got one court back. The first plan excluded tennis all together.
READ MORE: Residents dismayed after tennis courts left out of Oak Bay park redevelopment proposal
“I appreciate the efforts here to really reset Carnarvon Park, it’s a wonderful park,” said Robert Bettauer, a tennis pro and player. “Obviously from a tennis perspective we initially had a huge concern when five courts went to zero courts, that made no sense at all. This configuration has one tennis court which just simply isn’t enough.”
Bettauer is comfortable with pickleball having dedicated courts, noting they would be well used and serve a need. Still, he believes that at least two tennis courts are needed. A second court would encourage social aspects of the game, and allow space for lessons.
“One court will frustrate people considerably. But like I said, you get two tennis courts there I think the tennis community will find that acceptable,” Bettauer said.
He went on say that there’s nothing in the plan as it stands now that he would remove. He thinks looking a changing some of the fauna to make more space might be the best option. He maintains tennis is popular in Oak Bay, and needs the space.
“There’s no comparison in the size and popularity’s of the two sports,” Bettauer said. “But having said that, tennis acknowledges that pickleball is an important racket sport and should be part of the model. I’m here supporting pickleball, I would hope pickleball supports tennis.”
READ MORE: Oak Bay pickleballers surprised by tennis community’s reaction to nixed courts
Citing old equipment and ill maintained playing surfaces, Brian Eccles, ambassador for Carnarvon Park’s pickleballers, says the current grounds in Carnarvon are not suitable for anyone to play on. Despite the quality of the facilities, he said pickleball has been seeing tremendous growth in Oak Bay.
“Pickleball is a new sport on the block which is growing as tennis players get old – their knees are bad, their elbows are bad, and they can’t run around as much,” Eccles said.
Eccles is disappointed that the pickleball courts are being cut from the current six – despite two being shared with tennis – to four. He doesn’t see why a growing sport should have amenities slashed.
Aside from the decrease in space, he noticed an irregularity. The updated plans have the courts slightly angled. According to him – and others attending the open house this means that the sun might get in the way.
“That’s totally not appropriate as far as good play and having courts that are well designed and laid out,” he said. “The courts won’t be usable in the same they would be if the courts were aligned properly.”
Alix McKay, an associate with Lees and Associates, the firm helping to design the upgrades, said they didn’t believe the sun would be a problem.
Eccles disagrees, but also has broader concerns.
“This current dispute between tennis and pickleball is a turf war because tennis has always been in Oak Bay, and they’ve infiltrated all the parks,” Eccles said. “It’s a bigger deal than Carnarvon. It’s looking at the reality of how many tennis courts there are versus how many other facilities that the village of Oak Bay sponsors. It’s a big deal.”
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