On January 18th an application was made to the Cowichan Valley Regional District for development approval of four pickleball courts at the site of the Cowichan Cricket and Sports Club on Elford Rd. in Shawnigan Lake.
If developed on the Cricket Club site play would be on a membership, and guests of members, basis. Annual fees are expected to be affordable. It is projected that the development plan approval process may take three to four months prior to a decision.
Thanks to the South Cowichan Pickleball Club for this report. They have a stated goal of increasing the number of courts in the South Cowichan area, whether through public or private court access.

Tennis BC have issued a discussion paper with "recommendations for the construction or installation of public pickleball courts in BC communities." Read the full report here.

The most recent Provincial Health Orders, on February 5th 2021, extended the same orders and restrictions that we have been playing under since late last year. There is no expiry date to the current orders. Pickleball is still limited to singles play indoors as well as outdoors. However, you can play doubles outdoors if your playing partner is from the same household. To view the orders, click here.

​North Saanich could end up placing timed locks on the pickleball courts in the community, but one resident says it won’t deal with noise coming from the courts. Read the full article from Wolf Depner of the Saanich News here.

"On Friday, Jan. 8, Saanich bylaw enforcement officers were called to the pickleball court in Tolmie Park where someone had spotted a group playing in teams of two – in violation of the COVID-19 restrictions limiting the number of racket sport players permitted on courts." Read the rest of the report from the Saanich News here.

A well received presentation was made yesterday by Paul Williams to the CVRD’s Electoral Area Services Committee. The plan is to paint the lines for 4 pickleball courts on the, seldom used, roller-hockey court in Centennial Park. View the presentation (put together by Gord Van Dyck) here.