Lacrosse box in Creekside Park in Coldstream could become a site for pickleball courts. (Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Creekside Park

UPDATE: Pickleball on the move in Coldstream, council approves upgrade

Jan 24, 2023 | 3:40 PM

UPDATE: Jan. 24, 2023

Coldstream council has given the go ahead for upgrades to the lacrosse box in Creekside Park to accommodate pickleball courts.

The upgrades will cost about $100,000 with installation and construction expected later this year.

The project will include resurfacing the pavement, line painting for pickleball and upgrading the lighting and player’s bench area.  The facility will also be able for use by lacrosse teams, ball hockey and other groups.

Funding will come from reserves and gas tax funding

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Mayor Ruth Hoyte said while noise has been an issue with pickleball at the Mount Ida tennis courts on Middleton Mountain, sound tests were done in the Creekside Park area.

“They found it was appropriate[for pickleball] and residents seemed far enough away, and it followed the bylaws for Coldstream as far as noise goes,” Hoyte told Vernon Matters.

Hoyte said once the upgrade is complete, the courts in the Mount Ida area will no longer be used for pickleball, just tennis.

“Creekside Park is a destination park — people go there to play soccer, lacrosse, walk their dogs and that sort of thing, whereas the Mt. Ida is more of a neighbourhood park so different uses can be done there,” the mayor added.

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Pickleball on the move in Coldstream?
Jan. 23, 2023

The District of Coldstream is looking to move pickleball activity from one part of the community to another, and is hoping the noise won’t be an issue at the new site.

Staff at the municipality are recommending council approve upgrading the lacrosse box at Creekside Park on Kidston Road to accommodate pickleball courts.

The $100,000 project would include resurfacing the pavement, line painting for pickleball and upgrading the lighting and player’s bench area.

Funding would come from reserves and gas tax funding.

Staff is also recommending that the Middleton Mountain tennis courts no longer be designated as a multi‐use facility (i.e. not for pickleball). Pickleball has been played at that site since 2014, but has generated noise complaints.

The district undertook a noise study last September to determine the impact of pickleball to neighbours in the Middleton area and how the noise could impact residents near the Creekside Park lacrosse box.

“The investigation, in summary, showed that the noise levels at nearby homes from pickleball at the Middleton Mountain Park courts exceeded the limits set out in the District of Coldstream noise regulation bylaw, while the noise generated at Creekside Park did not,” a report from the infrastructure services department stated. “As well, the lacrosse box is considered an acceptable play area by members of the Vernon Pickleball Association.”

Lacrosse box in Creekside Park in Coldstream. (Vernon Matters photo)

The lacrosse box would also be available to book for ball hockey, lacrosse and other activities in addition to pickleball which would have to set up its own nets, and 6 to 10 courts could be accommodated at the 180′ by 80′ facility.

“The lacrosse box has not been booked by the minor lacrosse team since 2018 because of the poor surface (they are interested in booking again if the surface is repaired), but it does get booked by other groups such as the school district or the ski club. Because this space is a multi‐purpose space, staff is not recommending installing permanent nets,” the report to council stated

If there is a need for rentals for pickleball use, Coldstream could consider purchasing temporary nets at $270 each and allowing their use as part of the rental. Permanent nets and posts would cost $850 which includes includes installation.

The staff recommendation will be discussed by Coldstream council at its meeting tonight (Jan 23).