Some pickleball players are still getting their fix, but it’s far from the same atmosphere as it normally would be this time of the year at Fuller Lake Park in Chemainus.
The guidelines from Dr. Bonnie Henry’s office prevent gatherings of more than a handful of people that are common for pickleball to take place.
“That means no tournaments in the foreseeable future,” noted Chemainus resident Ken Holman of the Vancouver Island Pickleball Association. “We have no Island tournaments scheduled for the rest of the year – all have been cancelled.”
He did, however, credit North Cowichan for keeping the courts at Fuller Lake open while many municipalities have put a lock on courts and kept players out. Play is still only allowed with certain restrictions such as leaving the two centre courts empty to provide a buffer while singles are preferred or doubles only with someone from your own household.
“For many, this precludes them from participating,” Holman indicated.
“Pickleball is a highly social game, bringing players into an environment where contact with others is a requisite part of the sport. To say the players are getting restless would be an understatement.”
You can always check out the VIPA website for the latest developments in Island pickleball.