City of Powell River recommends Willingdon Beach for volleyball courts

After looking at eight locations for proposed beach volleyball courts, City of Powell River’s parks, recreation and culture department made its recommendation to committee of the whole on August 14.

Department director Ray Boogaards said the best place to put one regulation beach volleyball court, and perhaps two in the future, is where the existing recreational court is located at Willingdon Beach. An allotment of a 100-foot by 84-foot area would fit two courts and satisfy the needs of the community, but the project would begin with one court, he added.

The decision is not what volleyball proponents wanted. One court does not allow for league play or tournaments, which require a minimum of four.

“We are grateful the city has committed to upgrading one court at its cost,” said School District 47 superintendent of schools Jay Yule who, along with Powell River Volleyball Association presidentBill Rounis, made the request for beach volleyball courts in the city.

“We will continue to pursue our goal of enough courts to run events and provide youth with more recreational opportunities,” added Yule.

At a committee of the whole meeting in June, Yule and Rounis recommended the south parking area of Willingdon Beach. That location was seriously considered, according to Boogaards.

“All the gravel would be removed, replaced with grass and numerous activities could be put in that area,” said Boogaards. “Volleyball courts with a sand base could also be installed in the grassy area.”

The site is considered an ideal location with existing public washrooms on site and a lot of other amenities, said Boogaards. But beach volleyball courts at Willingdon south may be confined and restricted by major summer events, and obstacles could arise from future development, he added.

For those reasons, the location was not recommended.

“There’s only a limited amount of space during some of the larger events like Powell River Logger Sports and BC Bike Race,” said Boogaards. “It does limit that site for additional uses.”

City councillor Russell Brewer said he would back the Willingdon Beach site but not the Willingdon south location.

“I’d be willing to move on that first option to upgrade it or try to get two [courts] there, whatever that takes,” said Brewer. “There’s no way I want to get into a discussion about Willingdon south right now.”

Councillor and committee chair CaroleAnn Leishman said any public engagement on the Willingdon south location is a “political black hole.”

Mowat Bay was recommended by the school district and volleyball association as a second option. Boogaards said it could have been ideal for beach volleyball but with its proximity to the beach, there would be no other space available for passive recreation on the grass area for park users.

“I was disappointed to hear neither of our original two proposals of Mowat Bay and the parking lot at Willingdon were recommended in the report to city council,” said Rounis.

The committee directed staff to return with a report for two courts at Willingdon Beach and discussion with the school district on shared costs.