May 4 - Pickleball drama in North Saanich

Good morning !

Our top story today looks at the confusion around the sudden closure of the pickleball court in North Saanich.
Plus, we’ve got a roundup of all the best Mexican restaurants in town to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this weekend.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 12 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 14 / 8

Monday: 🌧️ 12 / 6

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NEWS

Pickleballers petition in protest of court closure in North Saanich

A day after North Saanich abruptly announced it would close its only outdoor pickleball-specific facility, a sizeable number of people (830 at the time of this writing) have already signed a petition to keep it open.

When asked why the council voted to close the four courts at Wain Park, North Saanich Mayor Peter Jones told Capital Daily: “Well, if I had to pick a number, I’d say 75% noise and 25% because of the way that the residents in that location were being treated.”

Jones accuses the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association (SPPA) of bullying residents in their dealings near the court and disrespecting regulations by playing well past the designated open times and even cutting the lock to play. However, there is no way of knowing whether association members were involved. 

Jones said the association refused to use softer balls to lessen the noise because they only use tournament standard balls. “We found from the pickleball association, there was zero compromise,” Jones said.

But to hear it from the SPPA, the mayor is running roughshod. “He just wants to shut it down,” Brad Watson, the association’s president, told Capital Daily.

Watson said only about 5% of SPAA members are among the estimated 500 or so using the Wain Park courts and when asked about possible bullying, he said he had “no idea what he’s talking about,” and said the mayor is to blame. 

“I'm not calling him a bully. That's what everybody thinks of him.”

Coun. Jack McClintock tells Capital Daily he was “completely surprised” when on Mon., the mayor brought the motion to close the courts. 

“The rapid turnaround as far as when the motion was called, the motion was voted on, and the closing of the courts, in my opinion, didn't really give the public an opportunity to speak to the matter,” he said.

McClintock said he hadn’t noticed an aggressive approach from the association as the mayor described in his experience. 

“There probably were personality conflicts, but bully is a pretty strong term and I have never been approached by a person that's a victim of bullying by anybody that plays pickleball.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Victoria Book Prizes call for submissions now open.  

London Drugs still closed. Phones, pharmacy open. [Updates]

Traffic disruptions, CCTV deployment downtown for demonstration today. [3-5pm]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at these 11 Victoria restaurants

This Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, the annual celebration of Mexico’s victory in the 1862 Battle of Puebla over the invading French army. Primarily celebrated in Puebla, the holiday commemorating the 5th of May has also become a wider celebration of Mexican heritage and culture across Canada and the US. 

In honour of the holiday, Tasting Victoria compiled a selection of restaurants that serve delicious Mexican food not only this weekend, but throughout the year. From tacos, enchiladas, and tamales to churros and arroz con leche, we have you covered when it comes to choosing the perfect spot to enjoy Mexican fare.   

See 11 delicious options at Tasting Victoria.

SPONSORED BY BAY CENTRE

Interactive art installation on now at the Bay Centre

Local digital media entertainment company Hololabs has brought the magic of Glowshrooms, an interactive pop-up, to the Bay Centre in partnership with OUR DWTN, a City of Victoria initiative. The pop-up is a showcase of experiential and technology driven artwork created within Victoria's tech industry.

Glowshrooms is an evolution of Hololabs hit installation from the City’s 2024 Winter Arts Festival, and a canvas for collaboration.

Through the use of large scale projections, guests are invited to interact with the installation using their smartphone as a controller (no app download required), and make forest mushrooms grow, glow, and dance. Play with those around you to transform a dark forest into an illuminated dreamscape.

Find Glowshrooms on Level 2 of the Bay Centre through the month of May.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🫖 Sunset Sips at The Empress: Tea-infused cocktails and mocktails served in glass teapots are back at the historic hotel.

🚗 Protect your rights and dispute your driving prohibition with the help of a knowledgeable lawyer. Contact Acumen Law Corporation today to start your defence.*

🍽️ Taste the City coming to Victoria: The digital tasting guide connects restaurant-goers with multiple eateries over the course of an evening.

🥂 Grab your friends and come to Beam for a night of Beauty, Bubbles, and Boot-scooting fun. May 9 4 -7pm at Victoria’s new Medi-Spa.*

🤝 Now hiring: Seasonal Purchasing and Receiving Clerk at The Butchart Gardens.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

UVic Faculty Associstion concerned about surveillance of pro-Palestine encampment
Its acting president says the group supports the students’ right to protest, but is concerned by the level of security and police on campus. UVic will close campus buildings from 5pm-7am daily, with some entrances locked throughout the day. While camping on the lawn is against school policy, UVic said it would take a “calm and thoughtful approach” to handling the encampment. A camp spokesperson said that they haven’t yet been contacted by UVic officials to discuss their demands. [Times Colonist]

Esquimalt tenants’ RTB hearing adjourned, to be continued
A hearing to determine whether tenants will be forced to leave their Sturdee low-rise so their new landlord can renovate was adjourned Thu. at the Residential Tenancy Branch, because there wasn’t enough time for all the residents to speak. The hearing will continue at a yet-to-be-announced time. While some accepted, many of the 40 or so residents turned down what they say was a $5K offer from the landlord to vacate by Sept.  

56% of BC residents want Vancouver to host Olympics, vs. 44% of Islanders
Among Islanders, 27% of those asked said Van probably should launch a summer bid and 17% said definitely, while 20% said it shouldn’t bid and 24% said it definitely shouldn’t (12% didn’t know). The Paris Summer Games begin July 26. [Daily Hive]

Westshore RCMP nab 4 drivers for excessive speed
One of them admitted to recently smoking weed and subsequently failed a sobriety test, resulting in a 24-hour ban from the roads and a speeding ticket. Another driver was caught going 143km/h in an 80km/h zone; another clocked at 140 on the TCH, where the limit is 90; and one was going 109 in a 60. All four got tickets and had their cars towed and impounded for a week. [RCMP]

SPONSORED BY THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY

Find out how you can change the world with TRU’s Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice

Prepare for a rewarding career as an activist, policy analyst or researcher to name a few. Get hands-on experience, discuss social issues and become an engaged global citizen and problem solver.

Find out more and register for the info session here.

🗓️ Things to do

🕊️ Our Women Are Sacred Walk: Honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people at this walk tomorrow, starting at Hallowell at 10am and ending at Maplebank. [Info]

☂️ Mary Poppins: This VOS production of the beloved musical will run at McPherson Playhouse today until May 12.

🥕 James Bay Market: The farmers market at the corner of Menzies and Superior kicks off for the season. Today and tomorrow. 9am-3pm.

🎙️ Damien Jurado: The Seattle-based singer will be joined by Lilly Miller at Capital Ballroom today. Doors 8pm, show 9pm.

🎹 Jim Witter: It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me: The Canadian pianist will perform the works of Elton John and Billy Joel at the Royal Theatre today, 7:30pm. [Info] 

🌮 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with this festive dance party at Upstairs Cabaret tonight, 10pm. [Info]

🌱 Eelgrass planting event: Help prepare eelgrass shoots for transplant at his educational event at Willows Beach. May 8. 9:30am.-3pm. [Info] 

🏴‍☠️ Esquimalt Buccaneer Days: Esquimalt’s annual pirate-themed fair will happen May 10-12 at Archie Browning Sports Centre. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Saanich e-bike program reducing GHG emissions; Victoria-area meal program needs beefy donation; more tankers expected on the water; And more. [May 3]

Liaison officers: Consequential questions remain in SPLO debate. [Capital Daily]

Summer camp registration. [City of Victoria] 

Victoria Book Prizes call for submissions now open.  

Steer clear of recently freed orca, Ehattesaht First Nation warns boaters. [CTV]

Victoria brunch spots named among best in Canada by OpenTable's Top 100 Brunch Restaurants.

That’s it!

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