The City of Delta wants to ensure fair allocation of its pickeball courts.
That’s according to a recent memo from parks director Ken Kuntz to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission that noted the city currently has 19 dedicated courts and 22 courts that are shared with tennis users.
Kuntz said with every new or rapidly growing sport, there are always lessons to be learned, and currently several organizations want to secure dedicated time at those Delta facilities.
The Delta Pickleball Association is currently the largest single group utilizing these facilities, but last December the commission agreed that no more than 50 per cent of all available court time would be allocated to book for group activities. That leaves the other 50 per cent available court time for drop-in public use.
“Staff have received emails from the public who are not part of an organized pickleball club asking that more time be allocated to ‘drop-in’ play. Recent Provincial Health Officer Orders limit pickleball to singles play only unless the players are from the same household in which doubles play is allowed.
To improve information on allocations, use rules and game etiquette, staff have initiated the installation of additional signage…” he explained.
In addition, seasonal allocated times will be posted on-site in a simple graphical format, noted Kuntz, adding that a third feature to help organize drop-in play is the installation of a paddle rack.
When a person arrives on-site and courts are full, a player can indicate the order in which they arrived by placing their paddle in the rack, he explained.
“These small improvements will assist all pickleball players and ensure there is a balance between drop-in and prior allocated use, while making sure the infrastructure is used to its greatest potential,” Kuntz added.
