Multi-Purpose Sports Facility

I appreciate the compromise by including a large dog park next to the facility- with some trees and grass (rather than gravel so that the dogs don’t hurt their paws). That dog park needs to be a priority throughout all stages of this project.
As for the complex, I think it’s fantastic to have a covered sports facility. If it becomes not covered then I think the space would become a little redundant.
Though I appreciate the appeal of permanent sporting elements within the courts (like nets), I personally prefer the flexibility of the space as I play more team sports such as floor hockey, futsal, and even indoor field hockey- plus the idea of indoor community events can be fulfilled with the flexible space.
Someone mentioned aesthetics— installing some living walls and murals would be a fantastic way to add charm to a potential eyesore. There are many artists in the area with some good ideas to make the space reflect the community. Thanks for your work and consultations so far.

Its great to see the multiuse sports facility design and input process developing. My comments would be:
The option 1 layout has, I believe, too many overlapping lines and the need to set up and take down nets, hoops, goals etc. for each user group detracts from the experience. I like the idea of focusing and investing in the basketball facility near the skateboard park.
The idea of a dedicated tennis court and 4 pickleball courts with some permanent nets seems likely to serve the community best.
Ensuring a dog park facility is available during construction I feel is also important.

I like the selected option as it balances multiple uses and user groups both inside and outside of the facility. Why wasnt a washroom building included in the design option (that could potentially serve as a secondary community washroom). How will the aesthetics of the sound dampening be improved? A mural or otherwise more natural look would be nice to integrate to make the facility feel less industrial and more welcoming and integrated into the community. Would it be possible to also include a secondary area within the enclosed dog park for smaller dogs?

I would like to begin by noting that the framing of this consultation is problematic. The District is seeking input on the design of a proposed pickleball facility without adequately acknowledging the broader context. This project is not simply about constructing a new recreational amenity; it will displace an existing and well-used community space.

I have little personal interest in the proposed pickleball court and remain unconvinced that the facility will deliver the broad community benefits that have been suggested. Claims that the site could accommodate activities such as dog training, farmers’ markets, and community events have been repeatedly raised by District staff and consultants and continue to appear in promotional materials. However, these claims appear inconsistent with statements made during the most recent Council presentation, where the intention was described as keeping activities more focused. Greater clarity regarding the intended use of the facility would be appreciated, especially to manage expectations within the community on what to expect from this facility.

I have written to Council several times regarding this project and the consultation process. Unfortunately, many of the concerns raised by myself and other residents do not appear to have been reflected in either the project design or the consultation approach. Meaningful public consultation is an important part of community planning, and in my view this project has fallen short in that regard. This latest consultation, which focuses narrowly on design elements rather than the broader impacts of the project, is another example.

My primary concern relates to the dog park, which is the existing use that will be directly affected. The dog park is a space that I use nearly every day, often twice a day, along with dozens of other local residents and many visitors to the region.

Given the ongoing concerns regarding wolf activity in the area, including the recent death of a local dog and multiple reported stalking incidents, as well as the closure of large portions of the park system to dogs, it is critically important that the dog park remain available throughout the summer construction period. Even a closure of a few days would create significant challenges for residents who rely on the dog park as a safe and accessible location to exercise high-energy dogs.

It is equally important that the dog park remain fully fenced at all times. While I understand that construction may present logistical challenges, it should be possible to first fence the new area and then install the fencing that will separate the new and existing spaces. With appropriate planning, this approach could substantially reduce disruption and closure time.

I request that the following measures be incorporated into project planning:

• If closure of the dog park is absolutely necessary, it should be limited to the shortest possible period, measured in hours or days rather than weeks or months.
• The dog park should remain fully fenced throughout all phases of construction.
• Proper double-gated entry systems should be installed in the new dog park.
• Existing features and infrastructure should be retained and relocated to the new space, including the memorial, mural wall, and picnic tables.
• Clear and proactive communication should be provided regarding all construction activities and planned closures. Residents should not arrive to find the park unexpectedly closed or under construction, as occurred in December. A construction plan should be shared when this project goes for final approval. Once construction begins, notices should be posted at the dog park at least one week in advance of any disruption or closure, with the same information shared through the District website and social media channels.
• The project must meet all applicable accessibility requirements and standards.

While not directly related to the proposed pickleball facility or the associated construction activities, I would like to take this opportunity to again highlight the importance of having more than one off-leash dog area in the region and encourage the District to consider the development of a second dog park within the community.

One potential option would be the seaplane base field, with the possibility of installing lights at Tugwell Field and relocating seaplane base field activities there. Establishing a second off-leash area would provide important redundancy when maintenance, construction, wildlife activity, or other circumstances affect access to the Frank Jones Dog Park. It would also better reflect the high level of usage currently experienced at the existing dog park and help meet the needs of both residents and visitors who rely on off-leash recreation opportunities.

Finally, I encourage the District to acknowledge the legitimate concerns that have been raised by dog park users throughout this process. Many residents feel that their concerns have been minimized or dismissed. Rebuilding trust will require transparent communication, meaningful engagement, and a willingness to recognize that reasonable people may disagree about the merits of this project and its impacts on existing community spaces.

I would also point out the obvious, most of the year it rains so a covering should not be phase two. If the cost is the deal breaker maybe build this half size, phase one would then be covered and phase two would be a second unit. Secondly, TREES: Please leave as many trees as possible in the new dog park, wind on Tugwell is a problem and trees do not bother dogs. Also pay attention to not impacting the small wetland hydrology and green space.

I would also point out the obvious, most of the year it rains so a covering should not be phase two. If the cost is the deal breaker maybe build this half size, phase one would then be covered and phase two would be a second unit.

Thanks for this. The tennis courts are going to be an incredible, year round activity that will improve our community. I also like the idea of having some permanent set ups in the space, in particular tennis.

I wanted to share some thoughts regarding the proposed court design at Tugwell Fields. First, I’m excited to see this project moving forward and greatly appreciate the opportunity for community input. It’s a beautiful thing to have the people who will be using the facility most to have a say in the design and function of the space. So, thank you for that.

One thing I think is very important to consider is designing the space in a way that allows for true simultaneous multi-use, rather than overlaying several sports onto the same courts. We have a great example next door in Tofino of a system that works well, where different user groups can comfortably use the space at the same time.

The current proposal includes two tennis courts with six pickleball courts overlaid, along with basketball and hockey lines. While I understand the intention behind maximizing the number of uses, I worry that too many overlapping lines and shared spaces may reduce accessibility, usability, and overall enjoyment for everyone.

My suggestion would be to consider:

One dedicated tennis court
Four dedicated pickleball courts with permanent nets
Separate basketball and/or hockey space rather than overlaying everything onto the same surface
To me, having fewer courts that function well is more valuable than having more courts that become difficult to use comfortably.

One major reason is that overlaying sports means only one user group can realistically use the space at a time. Dedicated courts would allow families and community members to use different areas simultaneously. For example, parents could be playing tennis or pickleball while their kids are at soccer or baseball practice nearby, or children could be using a basketball area while others are playing pickleball. That creates more of the community hub atmosphere I think we’re hoping for at Tugwell Fields.

I also think permanent pickleball nets are extremely important. We already have an example in town where pickleball lines exist at the basketball court, but the courts are rarely used because the nets are temporary and require setup, access codes, and coordination with whoever is already using the space. Even small barriers like that discourage use. People naturally gravitate toward recreation that is simple and easy to access.

As someone who currently plays indoor pickleball at the high school, I can also say that having too many overlapping lines creates a very visually overwhelming experience. It can be difficult to track where the ball is landing, even for younger players, and I imagine it would be especially challenging for anyone with vision difficulties. Dedicated court lines would make the space much more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

I’ve also never been to the pickleball courts in Tofino when they were empty. The growth of pickleball in surrounding communities is significant, and I think ensuring easy access with permanent, dedicated courts will help guarantee the space gets heavily used here as well.

I also wanted to mention the current basketball court in town, which is already a well-used and popular gathering space, especially because of its proximity to the high school, skate park, and central hub of town. Rather than adding basketball lines into this new recreation facility, it may make more sense to earmark some funding toward improving the existing basketball court instead.

That location already naturally serves teenagers and youth, and it seems like a more appropriate and desirable gathering place for basketball than Tugwell Fields would necessarily become. With the planned skate park improvements, there may also be an opportunity to encourage skateboarding activity to remain primarily within the skate park itself, which could help preserve and improve the basketball court for its intended use.

Investing in the existing basketball space could strengthen an area that is already functioning as a youth recreation hub, while allowing Tugwell Fields to focus more clearly on tennis, pickleball, and field sports without overcrowding the design with too many overlapping uses and lines.

Lastly, I think it would be wonderful to include picnic tables and gathering spaces nearby. Tugwell Fields has the potential to become more than just sports courts, it could become a place where families spend time together for the day: kids at soccer, friends playing pickleball, people sharing lunch, and community members connecting in one shared space.

Thank you again for gathering community feedback and for all the work going into this project. I’m excited to see it develop and hope these thoughts are helpful during the planning process.