Oak Bay council has rejected a controversial proposal to build rental housing on top of an indoor pickleball court in a revamped Carnarvon Park.
District staff will now put together more detailed options and cost estimates for a new field house, meeting space, storage and change rooms, Mayor Kevin Murdoch said Friday.
Options for such amenities as tennis and pickleball courts, play areas and an all-wheel area will be presented to council at the same time, he said.
Council reviewed a consultant’s report on options for the 3.9-hectare park, a public survey and feedback from residents at a packed council meeting Thursday night where participants spilled into an overflow area.
Oak Bay is developing a master plan for the park with the goal of coming up with a flexible design for buildings that will serve the community for 50 to 70 years, Murdoch said.
Council members unanimously turned down the idea of building housing in the park, he said.
The proposal had raised concerns about adding housing to land designated for park use, the size of the potential building and the amount of shade it would cast on outdoor courts.
A group presented a petition with more than 900 names against the housing idea, saying it would make the building too tall for the single-family neighbourhood.
Staff will investigate whether it’s better to build a basement in the new field house or add a second storey, Murdoch said.
Organized sports representatives will be contacted to determine how much change-room space is needed in the building, the mayor said.
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