Letter dated March 9, 2020 from T. Main, President, Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, Re: Proposed Eagles Nest Development

Re: Petition regarding the proposed Eagles Crest development and associated use of amenity funds for redevelopment of Helmcken Centennial Park to include numerous pickleball courts

Dear Mayor and Council,

Please see a petition in support of both the above. The petition was mounted electronically with a link sent to pickleball players of whom we are aware in the Victoria area. Those people likely represent a small proportion of the people who actually play pickleball.

The petition asked for names and addresses and did not specifically ask for municipality. We have worked from the addresses to identify the municipalities as best we could and are confident that the numbers are quite accurate.

You will note that the number of View Royal residents is significant but not the majority of respondents. I wish to point out the following:

• It is a chicken and egg situation in that View Royal players currently have few courts on which to play so if there were more courts there would be more VR respondents
• Many VR pickleball players necessarily play in many other municipalities yet would likely prefer to be closer to home
• A recent change at Juan de Fuca, while welcome in terms of recognition of pickleball, has had the unfortunate effect of reducing the number of available courts from 5 to 2
• We are frequently asked by aspiring VR and WS people where they can learn the game and where they can play if they already have learned
• There are no borders for pickleball players - they can and will go wherever opportunity presents which goes to explaining the widespread interest and potential opportunities provided by a significant number of courts in a single location

I look forward to learning of ways in which the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association can be off assistance to View Royal in supporting pickleball initiatives which contributes active living opportunities for all age groups.

Regards,

Trish Main President, Victoria Regional Pickleball Association