North Cowichan is creating guidelines and a strategy that will guide pickleball court development in the future. These guidelines will also help inform options to address noise issues at the courts at Andy Hutchins Park (Maple Bay).
North Cowichan has 15 pickleball courts over four locations: Fuller Lake, Crofton Park, Andy Hutchins Park, and Properties Park. These courts were converted from tennis courts between 2015 and 2020, prior to the development of provincially developed guidelines that aim to minimize noise impacts associated with outdoor courts. In 2023, the B.C. Recreation and Parks Association, together with Pickleball B.C., developed guidelines that address ball hit and player voice noise.
North Cowichan has received noise complaints from residents that live near the courts at Andy Hutchins Park in Maple Bay. Staff noted that the location of the courts does not meet the minimum distance guidelines outlined by the BCRPA. Options to address the noise complaints include restricting hours of play, installing gate timers to restrict use or to enforce hours of play, exploring sound barriers, converting the courts back to tennis, or relocating the courts to another suitable location.
We want to hear from pickleball players and area residents on preferences for mitigating noise concerns. Visit connectnorthcowichan.ca/pickleball to complete the survey. A pop-up open house is scheduled for Thursday, February 19 from 2:30 to 4:30pm at Andy Hutchins Park. The survey closes March 1, 2026.
Council will receive input from the engagement as part of a report on recommended actions to address the noise complaints, and on the development of guidelines and a strategy for future pickleball court development later this spring.
North Cowichan recognizes the importance of sport and recreation in the lives of its residents, and promotes health, fitness, social interaction, and community pride through the provision of more than 74 parks, 95 kilometres of sanctioned hiking and biking trails, 15 ball diamonds, four full-size soccer pitches, 15 pickleball courts, seven tennis courts, nine basketball courts, and one beach volleyball court.