It was back and forth for Peachland council before it approved moving ahead with a pickleball court expansion at Lambly Park.
Last year, council committed $200,000 from the Growing Communities Fund to assist in the construction of up to four courts. The Peachland Pickleball Society would need to fundraise any amount beyond that.
At its Tuesday (Jan. 28) meeting, council heard that the Society was unsuccessful in securing a substantial Community Gaming Grant.
鈥淭his means that the Society is not able to pay for any costs exceeding council鈥檚 allotted $200,000 from the Growing Communities Fund toward the project at this time,鈥� explained Corey Labrecque, director of community services.
Council discussed several options, including not proceeding with the project, revisiting it at a later date, or moving forward with a Request for Proposals (RFP) to determine the exact costs. A November 2024 report to the district by Urban Systems estimated the cost of design and construction at $315,000, with an additional 30 percent contingency.
Councillor Dave Collins said there might be a silver lining in the Society鈥檚 grant application being rejected. 鈥淚t鈥檚 allowing us to have a sober second thought on the project,鈥� he said.
Collins added that he still supported building two courts. 鈥淥n the condition that we can afford the sound deadening on all those courts (Lambly Park),鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think it would help that neighbourhood and alleviate some concerns.鈥�
Coun. Alena Glasman agreed with Collins and reiterated council鈥檚 commitment. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to renege on our agreement. We are not that council,鈥� she said.
The cost for an RFP is estimated at $18,000 to $20,000 and is included in council鈥檚 $200,000 commitment.
鈥淚f the results of the RFP show that the total project costs exceed council鈥檚 allotted budget from the Growing Communities Fund, staff would return to council with an update and a request for a decision,鈥� Labrecque said.
Coun. Keith Thom opposed the decision to post an RFP. Coun. Randey Brophy recused himself from the discussion and vote, as he is the president of the Peachland Pickleball Society. Coun. Terry Condon did not attend Tuesday's meeting.
