The outcome of Saanich council鈥檚 deliberations over a proposed tennis-court complex might not be to everyone鈥檚 liking, but at least everyone had a say.
The council voted Saturday to reject a proposal for a clay tennis-court complex on baseball fields next to the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. The vote was unanimous, but it came after public hearings extended to three meetings totalling 12 hours over a period of two months, with more than 180 people speaking for and against the plan.
Decisions come easily when it鈥檚 a choice between good and bad, but it鈥檚 more difficult when the choice is between two good things.
The proposal had much to commend it. The Cedar Hill Clay Court Tennis Society wanted to build a $1.3-million complex that would include eight clay courts and a pavilion. Society president John Miller told the sa国际传媒 in November that the complex would fill a gap for the region.
鈥淲e haven鈥檛 been able to find another city in North America of Victoria鈥檚 size that doesn鈥檛 actually have a tennis club with multiple courts on it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e think there鈥檚 a big need that way, and maybe the bigger need 鈥� or, at least, equal need 鈥� is having clay courts.鈥�
Clay courts 鈥� the surface would actually be crushed brick or rock 鈥� are easier on players than concrete or asphalt courts, and can be used in the rain.
Besides the use of the land, the society was asking for a $100,000 grant and a $250,000 interest-free loan from Saanich. In turn, the municipality would have been given 1,500 hours of use a year for public tennis programs.
Members of Save Cedar Hill Park and other opponents of the project were afraid it would endanger restoration efforts for Bowker Creek, and were concerned about the amount of public green space turned over to a private organization, as well as the amount of public funding sought for the project.
Most legislative bodies limit debate and public input on a particular issue, which makes sense 鈥� after the first 20 or 30 speakers, it鈥檚 not likely that much new in the way of perspective or information can be brought to the discussion. Saanich councillors went more than the second mile in ensuring as many people as possible had the opportunity to offer their views on the proposal.
The first public hearing in Nov. 28 ran until 10:45 p.m., but Mayor Frank Leonard promised a second meeting for Jan. 23, and then a third when people expressed disappointment at not being able to speak.
鈥淚 just think it鈥檚 the beauty of local government,鈥� he said after the November meeting. 鈥淎t the legislature in Victoria or the House of Commons in Ottawa, if they鈥檙e going to make a decision, you don鈥檛 get to talk to them. But with your council, before we make a decision, you get a chance to give us five minutes of your views. I think it鈥檚 a wonderful thing.鈥�
The tennis complex would have been a benefit to the region, but in the end, Saanich council came down in favour of local needs and concerns. That鈥檚 its job.
While the outcome is disappointing to the tennis society, it need not be the end. Much work and planning went into the proposal, but rejection does not necessarily mean the effort was wasted. It鈥檚 a plan that can 鈥� and should 鈥� be applied to another site.
In an age of secretive governments, arrogant politicians and too many decisions made behind closed doors, it鈥檚 refreshing to see an issue get such a thorough hearing.
