Lights approved for tennis courts in West Kelowna

Westside tennis players can enjoy their game into the evening hours with the addition of lights at eight courts.

West Kelowna city council voted Tuesday to illuminate eight courts rather than four at the Lakeview Heights Tennis Club on Anders Road.

“It would be a fantastic, worldclass facility if we had lights on eight courts,” Bryan Lakusta, president of the 180-member club, told council.

“We really would like to work with you to get those eight courts lit. We see the value and the need for it,” he said.

City staff had suggested lights be added to only four courts at a cost of $170,000. The cost for lighting eight courts was estimated at $260,000.

The club had already pledged to contribute $50,000 for the light-up project, and agreed during discussions at Tuesday’s council meeting to up the ante in the years ahead.

“We like this kind of thing where we have a partnership with a recreation user,” Mayor Doug Findlater said. “This is all smiles.”

The extra contribution from the club must still be approved by members, but Lakusta was confident that would be easily achieved.

Six of the lit tennis courts will be within the club’s fenced property, but two will be available for public use.

People wanting to play tennis on the two public courts in early evening hours will be able to press a button to activate the lights, council heard, while the club will control the illumination of the other courts.