An Errington resident wants to have a multi-sport athletic surface built in the community – one that can accommodate tennis, pickleball, basketball and road hockey.
Stephen Scott, who loves to play tennis and pickleball, said outdoor recreational facilities are lacking in Errington.
Scott shared that thought when he appeared as a delegation at the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee meeting on Oct. 20 to pitch his idea.
“Currently, as far as I am aware, if you live in Errington and do not have access to a private tennis court or pavement, you have to travel to Parksville or Qualicum Beach to play any of these sports outdoors,” said Scott.
Scott requested the RDN examine the feasibility of locating and installing a multi-sport athletic field on public land, centrally located in the community. He pointed out possible locations in the downtown area where the elementary school used to be before it burned down.
This area is bounded by Grafton, Memorial Drive, and the sawmill,” Scott described. “There are two bare lots in the center of this area, where the school was located, that are Crown Land, Lots 23 and 24, Block 46, Nanoose District, Plan 1989. The current zoning allows development for recreational purposes. This may be the best location.”
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On Aug. 13, Scott said he attended the Errington Farmers’ Market and pitched the idea from a booth. He asked people to fill out a short questionnaire.
“The results were encouraging,” said Scott. “In total, there were 67 respondents. Of the 67 respondents, all supported the establishment of a multi-sport athletic surface in Errington.”
Sixty people indicated they would use such facility, said Scott.
Errington used to have its own tennis courts. In 1914 the Errington Athletic Club was formed with the goal of acquiring land for a park and clearing land for four tennis courts. At the time, Scott said, there were only 185 people and today there are more than 2,750 residents, more than enough to find support and justify a project of this type.
“The construction of a multi-sport athletic surface in Errington would build community and provide outdoor recreation opportunities which are currently lacking,” said Scott.
The committee discussed the proposal but no action was taken at this time.