There’s a lot of discussion regarding the proposed clay court tennis complex the Cedar Hill Clay Court Tennis Society wants to build behind the Cedar Hill rec centre.
Here are some things to consider before the proposal goes to a council committee on Nov. 28, 2013.
There is a survey on Saanich Parks’ website that the CHCCTS claims proves demand for clay court tennis, though Parks states the survey “should not be considered statistically accurate across the population.”
Parks also states that “Presentations to relevant Saanich advisory committees have taken place” but fails to advise that the environment and arts advisory committees as well as the Bowker Creek Initiative did not endorse the proposal.
The plan at the bottom of the CHCCTS “About Us” page shows the proposed complex is at least as big as the entire rec centre.
While the “Bowker Creek” page suggests that the CHCCTS complex meets all requirements, neither Saanich Parks nor the CHCCTS have completed any comprehensive environmental studies to learn if eight clay courts and a pavilion are suitable for this location.
The CHCCTS claims that the proposed eight clay courts and 2,000 square foot pavilion is no different from the other public/private partnerships Saanich has previously agreed to.
Those partnerships were to update existing facilities, with the exception of the squash courts at the Cedar Hill rec centre and the allotment gardens, and those four squash courts are about the size of one indoor tennis court. Additionally, no public green space was removed from public use for that facility.
For more information, including the views of neighbours of the park and other Saanich residents, visit The Save Cedar Hill Park website. There’s a lot to consider before making up your mind.
Lana Burns
Saanich