Image: Supplied by City of Chilliwack / The City of Chilliwack is exploring the possibility of a pickleball facility next to the Rotary building on Wolfe Road, adjacent to Townsend Park.
Pickleball facility

City of Chilliwack exploring construction of pickleball facility next to Rotary building on Wolfe Road near Townsend Park

Sep 3, 2022 | 6:00 AM

CHILLIWACK — To satisfy the growing demand for a facility given the city’s rapid population growth and surging interest in the sport, the City of Chilliwack will be looking to build a pickleball facility at some point in the future.

The request for proposals (RFP) period lasted from July 7 until August 3, and city staff are currently reviewing qualified bids from proponents. A contract has not been awarded yet.

The facility will be located adjacent to the existing Rotary of Chilliwack book building adjacent to the Townsend Park gravel parking lot, according to tender and bid information on the City’s website.

The proposed facility will cover the northern section of two city properties at 44920 and 44880 Wolfe Road. City staff have allocated $270,000 to cover the supply, delivery, and installation of the Chilliwack Pickleball Facility, which will adhere to standards set forth by Pickleball Canada.

The City plans to advise proponents of the selection of the preferred vendor within 30 days of the closing date of August 3. However, there is no mention of a pickleball facility tender on the Chilliwack City Council agenda for this coming Tuesday’s meeting on September 6.

According to tender guidelines, the preferred vendor’s proposal will be accepted, contingent upon successful post-selection negotiations, within 60 days after the closing time. However, this schedule is subject to change and the City reserves the right to modify it at its sole discretion.

The Chilliwack Pickleball Club (CPC) stands to benefit from the proposed facility. The club was established in April 2017 and has grown to over 390 members who play six days a week on 14 indoor courts. According to its website, group members are “delighted to have the largest indoor pickleball facility in the Fraser Valley of BC.” Their current indoor venue is the Landing facility at 45530 Spadina Avenue. Other pickleball locations include Portage Park, G.W. Graham, Rosedale Community School, and Promontory School. Rosedale and Promontory School locations feature evening play.