January 2024

Mayor and Council,
We understand that the District of West Vancouver is undertaking engagement on its upcoming 2024
budget and we are pleased to provide inputs to your efforts. This letter is sent on behalf of the West
Vancouver players within the North Shore Pickleball Club (NSPC). The three main points we would like to address are:

• Our appreciation of Council & Staff addressing the needs of the pickleball community for
• facilities in West Vancouver and our availability to provide support.
• The need to choose a budget option that will retain money for permanent pickleball facilities, and
• The fast growth and popularity of the sport of pickleball.

First, we would like to extend our appreciation knowing that staff and council members in the DWV are expanding time, resources and budget to address the needs of the pickleball community. We understand that there are many competing issues that need tackling within a municipality, additional pickleball facilities being one of them. We applaud the creation of the Pickleball Advisory Roundtable and we are working closely with one of its members, Anne Watson, to ensure that our interests and needs are represented. Additionally, we are staying in contact with the West Van Players group to ensure that our common interests are presented in a coordinated fashion to the DWV. We welcome the opportunity to weigh in on future plans and any proposed changes prior to finalization. Thank you.

Second, we received confirmation that the DWV had allocated $800,000 in last year’s budget for the
installation of new permanent pickleball courts to replace the loss of the courts from 29th Street. We
urge council members to retain the budget allocation of $800,000 to address the needs of the growing
pickleball community and avoid the dilution of funds to other competing sports. If these funds are not retained, we must support a budget option in 2024 that ensures pickleball specific courts can be built in a central location away from residential neighborhoods which is accessible by foot, transit and bicycle, offers suitable parking and has access to bathrooms and water.

Finally, you may be interested to know pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America. It is
extremely popular because it is easy to learn, inclusive, and social. It is cost effective and provides an
enjoyable means of exercise. It is a densified sport compared to tennis; 16 pickleball players can play in the same space as 4 tennis players. Pickleball is played by all ages, but the popularity among baby
boomers is exponential. The demographic of WV is well suited to this ideal form of exercise and social engagement. Permanent outdoor pickleball courts will ensure the DWV will remain a vibrant city addressing the needs of their population in 2024!

Thank you for your consideration on behalf of the West Vancouver residents of the NSPC.
Court Advisory Committee
North Shore Pickleball Club