City of Powell River officials are courting suggestions about how to prevent vandalism at the Townsite tennis facility.
At the city’s committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, August 21, concerns about vandalism on the refurbished Townsite tennis courts were raised in a letter.
“Our municipality has just spent at least $150,000 resurfacing the Townsite tennis courts and installing two brand new pickle ball courts,” wrote Vivian Thickett. “We now have a beautiful, impressive, functional and modern facility.
“Yet, we are already plagued with vandalism. There are black tread marks from skateboards everywhere on the new courts.”
Thickett stated in her letter that one of the handles used to adjust the net height was destroyed so the three remaining have been removed. She added that piping was stuffed down both women’s toilets and excrement had been spread over both washroom walls.
“According to nearby court residents, the washrooms are frequently used for drug deals,” Thickett said.
Following the installation of the new courts, the tennis club has repeatedly asked for a caretaker to lock the gates at night and open them in the morning, according to Thickett. She said this would be a seasonal job from April to October.
“Surely, the salary for this care would be minimal compared to all the damage that will continue to plague the area. Once again, please hire a caretaker to maintain our new facility. Several residents in the area are interested in such a job.”
Mayor David Formosa said about $200,000 had been invested in upgrading the tennis courts.
“I urge anybody on council to have a look at this great facility,” he said. “I was almost in shock when I went to see it because of the nature of it. I thought there would be a new concrete sub-base, and painting on top of that. Instead, it’s a plastic put-together base that sits on top of the existing structure and then pinned down to the concrete.”
Formosa said this means a person could go and lift a section if they wanted to vandalize it.
“There have been some issues already whereby they are finding young people attending inside of the facility,” he said. “There is concern that something may happen.”
Formosa said he has spoken with the executive of the tennis club. He also had a chat with the city clerk to see what could be done to have a neighbour to lock the facility. Formosa said he also spoke to the caretaker at the nearby track facility, who did not seem interested in adding it to his duties.
“I think for some renumeration he might go down and lock it and open it.”
Formosa said he has heard a suggestion to have a lock with a combination similar to what’s at the harbours and airport. Members of the club would have the combination.
“The problem is if a citizen wants to enjoy the tennis court and a member is not there to let them in, that’s probably where the issues arise.”
Ray Boogaards, director of parks, recreation and culture, said he did not believe putting a lock or a caretaker on site was the ideal suggestion for council to consider.
“Tennis courts are traditionally open for the public to play tennis whenever they feel there is a need,” he said.
Boogaards had discussions with Powell River RCMP about extra patrols.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway, chair of the committee of the whole, asked if closed circuit TV had been considered.
Boogaards said cost could be prohibitive.
He said there is not a lot of lighting around the courts and upgrading the illumination might be another consideration. Lights with motion sensors might also be an option.
Boogaards said he understands this was an isolated vandalism incident. He, the recreation manager and the parks foreman, inspected the damage and had a look at the site subsequent to its reporting.
When the new skate and bike park facility adjacent to Powell River Recreation Complex comes online, Boogaards believes anyone who might want to skate at the tennis court site now would be more likely to go to the purpose-built facility, rather than a tennis facility that is not smooth.
Mac Fraser, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the director of parks, recreation and culture would look after resolving the issue.
