This is to clear up two of the misconceptions about the proposed Cordova Bay Community Club rebuilding project at 941 Sutcliffe Rd.
We have heard references such as exclusive and elitist and no youth programs: It does now, and will continue to, welcome all ages and all levels of play.
It would be financial suicide to not be open to the general public, or not welcome recreational players (which is usually considered to be 95 per cent of the market). The youth are our future. Badminton BC also informs us that we are building a facility for “activities for new Canadians” because, in Asia, badminton is a family sport. This makes us eligible for some funding.
First Phase: (four new courts) to expand facilities for badminton, pickleball, and table tennis. Second Phase: community space for such things as martial arts, dance, chess clubs, exercise classes, meetings and other community functions, and a fitness centre. This will also make us accessible to para-badminton athletes which Badminton Canada tells us makes us eligible for ‘significant funding’. We have the top Canadian para-badminton official living on Cordova Bay ridge.
To sustain a new facility you need to cater to as wide a market as possible.
There is a fear of a great increase of the traffic on Sutcliffe.
We anticipate a doubling of the traffic in and out of the community centre. Combined with the existing traffic from St. David’s by the Sea Church, the pharmacy mall, and the existing residences on Sutcliffe, we see a probable 33 per cent increase in overall traffic on Sutcliffe.
Speed and traffic, according to Saanich, has never been an issue on Sutcliffe. Community club users do not park on Sutcliffe Road. We will address more of these misconceptions soon.
Rob Oldfield
Cordova Bay Community Club