Pickleball players on Salt Spring Island will soon enjoy improved court conditions at Portlock Park thanks to a successful fundraising campaign that hit its goal in record time. The Salt Spring Island Pickleball Association raised $50,000 in just six weeks to cover the cost of resurfacing the local courts, a project completed in partnership with the Capital Regional District.
The community support for the project was significant, with 64 members donating an average of more than $800 each. The funds were managed through the Salt Spring Island Foundation, which hosted a dedicated fund for the project to handle donations and provide tax receipts. Association board Vice President Cheryl Roehlig noted that the project began when the regional government offered to perform more extensive crack repairs, provided the association could cover the additional costs.
The association has grown to more than 160 members, with an average of 50 to 60 players hitting the courts at Portlock Park each week. The courts are located at the corner of Lower Ganges and Vesuvius Bay Roads in a park managed by the regional district’s Salt Spring Island Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture commission. This resurfacing work ensures an optimized playing environment for the growing group of residents who use the facility.
