Ambleside Courts Opening

New Ambleside Pickleball Courts – A collaboration between the North Shore Pickleball Club ("NSPC") and the Parks Staff of West Vancouver
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In 2021 West Vancouver earned the title of 'B.C.'s Most Active Community'.   Today West Vancouver Council, Parks Staff and local players are to be congratulated on the opening of the first four purpose-built, regulation-sized pickleball courts with separating fences on the North Shore and possibly north of the Frazer!

West Vancouver led the North Shore in dedicated, permanent outdoor courts when three were opened at 29th St in October 2018 thanks to the long-time advocacy of Ed and Lilly Orlovsky.  After years of active use, much was learned about the impact of the pickleball courts on neighbourhoods, and in 2021 the difficult decision was made to close the courts.  Subsequently, four excellent courts were created at Normanby Park, a remote park not accessible to anyone who doesn’t have a car or has personal mobility issues. 

A year ago, West Vancouver Council struck a Pickleball Roundtable Advisory Committee to expedite construction of new courts within our community. The committee consisted of players, community members interested in sport, and parks and community center staff. This proved to be a very good formula as Ambleside was quickly identified as the ideal location and staff cleared the hurdles to have the site assigned to pickleball.  Council approved four courts and development started this spring. 

The four new courts, located with a view of the beach in West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park, are exactly what was needed – centrally located, fully serviced, accessible by public transit and separated from residences.
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Parks Staff are to be commended for referring the court design once again to a players’ committee.  Longtime West Vancouver residents, pickleball advocates and NSPC members Bruce Foskett and Maureen Jarman were part of that design team.   As a wonderful coincidence (or not!), Court Opening Day is also Maureen and Bruce’s birthday!  While Lily and Ed no longer play, we know that the pickleball elixir will keep these seniors and many others enjoying the courts for many years to come!
 
Pickleball demand continues to grow, and players are getting younger.  Almost 4000 local students and their teachers have been visited by NSPC volunteers who provide free introductions to pickleball.  The Advisory Committee is now focusing on further pickleball expansion opportunities in the District of West Vancouver with its community partners, the North Shore Pickleball Club and West Van Players.  

Top Left to bottom right (on mobile top to bottom):

• Estha Parg Murenbeeld, President North Shore Pickleball Club, serving cake
• Ceremonial Reception
• The birthday kids: longtime West Vancouver pickleball advocates and NSPC members Bruce Foskett and  Maureen Jarman,
• West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager at Ribbon Cutting
• ​Super Senior - ​98 year old Elmer Helm
• Jamie Dean Hollyburn Country Club, Ed and Lilly Orlovsky, and Walter Knecht Pickleball BC, who thanks to his eye protection as he was able to perhaps save an eye on a deflected ball - "in your bag" is no good!!

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