Rec Report Newsletter - June/July 2025
Newsletter Spotlight
- Outdoor Pickleball Courts Grand Opening & "Paddle Royale" Pickleball Festival
- Annual General Meeting & 2024 Annual Report
- Summer Events: Discover, Create & Celebrate
- Camp Countdown: Claim Your Spot!
- Join WSPR's Biodiversity Mapping Project on iNaturalist
- NEW! Continuous Membership
- Exceptional Staff - Sharing What We Know
- Coming Soon: Gaga Ball for All
- Upcoming Holiday Hours
Outdoor Pickleball Courts Grand Opening
Join us Friday, June 13 at 10:00 AM as we celebrate the grand opening of six brand-new pickleball courts at West Shore Parks & Recreation! Designed for both casual and competitive play, these state-of-the-art courts feature improved spectator views, expanded social spaces, and options for both reserved and drop-in play.
Enjoy a ribbon-cutting ceremony, light refreshments provided by Thrifty Foods Belmont Market, and exhibition matches showcasing local pickleball talent. Community leaders and recreation staff will be on hand to welcome guests and share more about this exciting addition to Westshore’s recreation scene.
Want to hit the courts? Here's how:
· Courts 1–4 are available for online reservation at a rate of $16 per 2-hour session.
· Courts 5 & 6 are designated as drop-in only, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservations can be made same day or up to one week in advance through the WSPR website. Click here to book your spot!
1st Annual WSPR "Paddle Royale" Pickleball Festival
Mark your calendars for the first-ever "Paddle Royale" Pickleball Festival, a one-day pickleball social bringing together beginner and intermediate players for a fun-filled day of doubles round robin play. Winners each receive $100.00 to Courtside Sports, with 3 additional mystery draw prizes to be won! Island Culinary Services will have breakfast and lunch available to purchase.
Saturday, July 5th
9AM-5PM
JDF Outdoor Pickleball Courts (lower park)
Men's 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 divisions
Women's 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 divisions
Minimum of 4 games (3 round robin, 1 consolation/playoff)
$40 per team; registration opens June 14. Register on WSPR's website. See you on the courts!
Annual General Meeting & 2024 Annual Report
The upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the release of the WSPR Annual Report offer an important opportunity to reflect on the past year’s milestones, financial performance, and organizational progress. The AGM will serve as a formal occasion to present key updates, recognize contributions, and ensure transparency with our members and stakeholders. The Annual Report will provide a detailed account of our activities, achievements, and audited financials, highlighting the collective efforts that shaped the year. We invite all members to join us as we review and celebrate the work we accomplished together.
Summer Events: Discover, Create & Celebrate
Get ready for all of the exciting events coming up this summer! WSPR's Special Events Team is bringing the fun to your neighborhood with art, crafts, storytelling, cultural celebrations, and more. Save the dates and stay tuned for all the details, coming soon.
Change Makers Gathering Festival:
June 14, Langford
National Indigenous Peoples Day:
June 20, Royal Roads
Neighborhood Nights:
July & August, Royal Bay
StoryWalk:
July & August, Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, and various CRD parks
Movies on the Hill:
August 14: Momma Mia!
August 28: Moana 2
Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre
Camp Countdown: Claim Your Spot!
Looking for a fun, engaging way to keep the kids active and inspired this summer? Good news—there’s still space in several of our upcoming summer camps! From outdoor adventures and creative arts to science experiments and team sports, our camps offer something for every interest and age group. Don’t miss the chance to secure a spot—register soon before they fill up!
View programs and register now!
Join WSPR's Biodiversity Mapping Project on iNaturalist
West Shore Parks department has launched a Biodiversity Mapping Project in collaboration with the iNaturalist platform. This community science initiative invites park users to help document local plant and animal species on WSPR property by uploading photos and observations to a shared online project.
The project aims to:
- Engage the public in local biodiversity awareness
- Build a long-term ecological record of our site
- Support education, stewardship, and sustainable planning
Participants can join via:
https://inaturalist.ca/projects/west-shore-parks-recreation-biodiversity-map
So come on down and explore WSPR's parks and trails, and share what you find!
NEW! Continuous Membership
New to WSPR’s memberships? Stay flexible with the new Continuous Membership for ongoing savings, automatic monthly billing, and the freedom to cancel anytime without penalty. After your first month at the one-month membership rate, enjoy a discounted rate month after month! It’s all the benefits you love; with the flexibility you need. Join today!
Already a current annual membership holder? Upgrade to our Continuous Membership and you will receive the first month at the discounted rate and continue to enjoy the convenience of monthly billing but with the added freedom to cancel anytime without penalty. You’ll receive the same great benefits, but with more flexibility and control. Why wait? Make the switch today and stay connected on your terms.
Exceptional Staff - Sharing What We Know
Inspections Matter: Keeping Playgrounds Safe and Sound
We’re proud to spotlight “Inspections Matter: The Importance of Inspections and Safety Standards” (see pages 14-16) by Bryan Wood, Parks Supervisor at West Shore Parks & Recreation, featured in the latest issue of Facility 2 Facility, the industry-standard facility operations magazine published by Recreation Facilities Association of British Columbia.
This article explores the vital role of regular playground inspections—from daily visual checks to annual certified reviews—and how they help ensure safe, welcoming spaces for children. It also breaks down the differences between CSA standards and childcare licensing regulations, offering practical insights for parks professionals. A must-read for anyone involved in playground maintenance and safety.
Rob Wilson, Arena & Events Coordinator at West Shore Parks & Recreation, has also contributed to the magazine with his articles "Advertising with Arena Sticker Boards vs Lexan and Styrene: An Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective Approach" (see pages 13-14), and "Choosing Between Plexiglass and Tempered Glass for Hockey Barriers" (see pages 27-30).
And Bobbi Neal, Community Development Programmer at West Shore Parks & Recreation, contributed the article "Constructing Community: The Making of Thrifty Foods Skatepark" (see pages 27-28). Notably, the Thrifty Foods Skatepark also received the RFABC Bill Woycik Outstanding Facility Award in 2024!
Coming Soon: Gaga Ball for All
New Gaga Ball Pit Coming Soon!
We’re excited to introduce our brand-new Gaga Ball pit—a fast-paced, high-energy game that’s a hit with kids of all ages! Played in an octagonal pit, Gaga Ball is a gentler version of dodgeball where players aim to hit others below the knees with a soft ball while dodging, jumping, and ducking to stay in the game. It’s fun, inclusive, and a great way to stay active. Come check it out and join the action!
Upcoming Holiday Hours
| HOLIDAY | DATE | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Day | Tuesday, July 1 | 6AM-3PM |
| British Columbia Day | Monday, August 4 | 6AM-3PM |
© Copyright 2025 | West Shore Parks & Recreation. All Rights Reserved.
West Shore Parks & Recreation | 1767 Island Highway, Victoria, BC, Canada, V9B 1J1
Tel: 250-478-8384 | reception@wspr.ca