The concept plan for a sports court to be built at the Errington Community Park was presented at the Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) Parks and Open Space advisory committee meeting on Oct. 28.
The community have longed to have their own sports courts, similar to other communities such as Nanoose Bay and Dunsmuir Community Park on Horne Lake Road.
The proposal was first raised in June 2022 by a group of Errington residents and it was supported by the Regional District of Nanaimo board. The plan is to build the sports courts at the Errington Community Park
The RDN parks staff commissioned McElhanney, a local engineering firm, to complete geotechnical testing, conceptual design and costing for the construction of a sports court.
The geotechnical testing that was completed on June 4, 2024 on the area adjacent to the playground, showed the site to be suitable for the proposed new sports project but removal of unsuitable subgrade materials and replacement with engineered fill was also recommended.
A conceptual design was then created and two options were presented. Option one features one permanent tennis court and four temporary pickleball courts that will be fenced, and basketball hoops. The estimated cost is $634,500. Option two would cost $832,410. It will also have a fenced permanent tennis court and four temporary pickleball courts, and a separate fenced play surface for ball hockey and basketball.
However, none of the options were endorsed by the advisory committee for recommendation to the RDN board. Area F director Leanne Salter considers the cost to be prohibitive.
The board approved $150,000 in the Electoral Area F Community Parks and Halls budget for the Errington Park sports court. It was included in the 2024-2028 financial plan. The geotechnical testing and conceptual design cost $15,815.50, leaving a balance of $134,184.50 to pay for detailed design and construction of the sport court.
An additional $225,000 is included in the 2024-2028 financial plan for general community parks and improvements in Area F for a total of $359,184.50. Choosing option one would require an additional $275,315.50 and for option two, an additional $473,225.50 would be necessary.
Salter had indicated the area has already spent its Community Work Funds and is reluctant to ask taxpayers to dole out money to help pay for the sports court. She says they have between $150,000 and $250,000 to spend on a court.
Stephen Scott, a driving force in the Errington community in convincing the RDN to build a sport court, attended the meeting along with a dozen community members. He said they are determined to get some kind of playing surface built in the community and are worried whatever money is available will be allocated to some other project.
A decision was made to refer the matter back to the parks department and directed it to come up with a phased approach that will get a piece of pavement on the ground in the park with at least one basketball court and lines for pickleball.
Scott indicated they agreed to search for another grant, like Nanoose Bay received for their court, with both their group and the RDN planners looking and applying to funding sources.
"Community sports build healthier communities," said Scott.
"Most communities have sports facilities which include opportunities for tennis, basketball, pickleball and road hockey," Scott said. "Errington does not currently have such a facility. The construction of a sports court in Errington will provide a healthy option for local residents to play sports with their families and neighbours. This will result in healthier citizens and a more integrated community."
