The Saga Continues: Pickleball Courts Shut Down in British Columbia

Good evening, picklers.

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

• Pickle Talk: Pickleball Courts Shut Down in British Columbia: The Saga Continues

• Bite-sized: From Rackets to Pickleball: Meet Ben Cawston, the UK’s Pickleball Hopeful

• Golden Pickle: John Kew’s Black Friday Pickleball Deals (a huge list)

PICKLE TALK

Pickleball Courts Shut Down in British Columbia: The Saga Continues

Remember back in May when we told you about pickleball courts getting shut down in British Columbia? We thought it was a one-and-done pickleball drama. 😱

Turns out, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. (and we aren’t complaining)

Here’s the latest from Wain Park, just 50 miles from the birthplace of pickleball:

A Quick Recap of Court Chaos👩🏼‍⚖️👩🏼‍⚖️

• 2017: North Saanich Council approves four shiny new pickleball courts for $150K-$200K.

• April 29, 2024: Mayor Peter Jones drops a bombshell motion to permanently close the courts due to noise complaints. The Council votes 5-1 in favor.

• Players’ response: Outrage. They proposed noise control measures, but Council brushed them off, reviewing outdated options from two years ago.

Not exactly the “let’s work together” energy you’d hope for, right?

The Fallout: Legal Battles Begin👩🏼‍⚖️

After the shutdown, pickleball players and residents didn’t just pack up their paddles—they lawyered up. They launched a GoFundMe for legal fees and filed a petition for a judicial review of the Council’s decision.

Here’s what they’ve done so far:

• Petitions: A Change.org campaign got 1,800+ signatures demanding the courts reopen.

• Protests: Hundreds of supporters packed the May 6 District Council meeting.

• Research: They gathered sound mitigation data and consulted with other cities to prove noise solutions exist.

• Media Blitz: From interviews to social media campaigns, they made sure everyone knew about the shutdown.

What’s a Judicial Review Anyway? (you tell em, Judge Judy)

It’s basically a courtroom showdown. Judicial reviews let Canadian courts assess whether government decisions were legal, fair, or totally off the rails.

In this case, residents want:

1. The closure decision overturned.

2. A declaration that the Council broke procedural fairness rules.

The big arguments:

• The closure wasn’t on the Council’s agenda.

• Mayor Jones admitted his decision was based on a personal encounter with players on April 28.

• A May 6 motion to reconsider the closure wasn’t allowed by the Mayor.

North Saanich Fires Back

The District Council isn’t backing down. In their seven-page legal response, they claimed:

• The petitioners don’t have the legal standing to challenge the decision.

• They had no obligation to notify or involve the community in the April 29 vote.

Translation: “We don’t owe you an explanation.”

👉🏻What Happens Next?

The case is heading to court, where a judge will decide whether the pickleball players have a shot at reclaiming their courts—or if the sound of paddles hitting plastic is silenced for good.

Stay tuned, folks. The battle for Wain Park isn’t over yet.

BITE-SIZED PICKLES to watch out for this week 👀

1/ From Rackets to Pickleball: Meet Ben Cawston, the UK’s Pickleball Hopeful

Pickleball’s melting pot of talent just welcomed a new ingredient: Ben Cawston, the reigning World No. 1 in rackets and current world champion. 🏆

So…what’s rackets?

It’s like racquetball and squash on steroids—a blisteringly fast sport played in an enclosed court where balls fly at speeds of up to 200 mph.

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Here’s how Cawston’s unique background stacks up:

• Quick reflexes 🧠: Rackets demands incredible reaction times, perfect for pickleball’s rapid pace.

• Endurance: 🏃🏽‍♂️ Running around a court isn’t new for him—it’s a strength he’s bringing to singles.

• Spin learning curve: ↪️ He admits pickleball’s emphasis on touch and topspin is a challenge, but his slicing skills are already sharp.

Cawston’s Pickleball Debut

At the Veolia Milwaukee Open, Cawston tested his Engage paddle in the men’s singles pro qualifier and earned a spot in the main draw.

Despite jet lag from an 8-hour flight and a 6-hour time zone shift, he put up a fight.

• “Every day this week I’ve gone to bed at 7 p.m. and woken up at 2 a.m.”

Even with the fatigue, he played men’s singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles qualifiers.

His first big test? Facing Mohaned Alhouni, where his run came to an end.

What’s Next?

Cawston only picked up pickleball a year ago, training 3-4 times a week in England with fewer facilities than in the U.S. But his debut proves he’s a competitor to watch.

Will his rackets experience and growing pickleball skills give him an edge in the pro circuit?

Let’s just say the ball’s in his court.

2/ 🛍️ REMINDER: QVC Meets Pickleball…A Match Made in Marketing Heaven

The USA Pickleball National Championships are getting a fresh broadcast partner this weekend—and it’s not ESPN.

It’s QVC.

Yes, the same QVC that sells your mom essential oils is diving into live sports with a media rights deal to air the Nationals.

Where to Watch 👀

Full coverage streams on QVC+ and HSN+, but they’re also bringing live updates to their linear channels, QVC1 and QVC2 (yes, there’s a second one).

They’re not phoning it in, either. According to Sports Business Journal:

• 25-person production team on-site

• QVC host Monifa Days providing live hits

• Pickleball Hall-of-Famer Jennifer Dawson joining the coverage team

Even QVC’s VP of Brand Marketing, Annette Dunleavy, weighed in:

“We will have people on the ground talking to the players, talking to people that are there. We pride ourselves on the personal stories.”

Why QVC and Pickleball Are the Perfect Pair 🤝

QVC’s move into pickleball isn’t just creative—it’s strategic. The overlap in demographics is huge:

• Pickleball fans? Avid shoppers.

• QVC viewers? Big into pickleball.

The cherry on top? QVC is using this opportunity to launch an online store selling pickleball gear in partnership with USA Pickleball. Capitalism in full swing.

The Takeaway

This deal isn’t just about sports; it’s about selling. And making lots and lots and lots of money. Live sports have always been a marketer’s playground, and QVC’s combining the best of both worlds—sports entertainment and shopping addiction.

Will it be a smashing success? We’ll have to see if pickleball fans are ready to add to cart. 🛒

GOLDEN PICKLE: Your must-clicks of the week

Just a few crumbs before you go…😉

1️⃣ U.S. Architectural Lighting’s New Baseline Series. Check this out: A new Baseline series promises glare-free, uniform lighting for pickleball and tennis courts. It improves night play visibility with high-performance LEDs designed for player comfort. Technology at its finest.

2️⃣ WATCH: Tyson McGuffin vs Quang Duong at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships. You know who our favorite is (QD) , but all bias aside, it’s not everyday you’ll see two powerhouses play against each other.

3️⃣ John Kew’s Black Friday Pickleball Deals. Get a head start on holiday shopping with unbeatable Black Friday discounts on paddles, accessories, and gear.

4️⃣ Miss the last Pickle Talk? 👉🏻 We recapped the 2024 Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championship Recap for you. Also, Pickleglass Courts are here, will they fix the noise issue? And let’s debate the GOATs of pickleball. Think you know the top 10 male players?