Assess
Understand the facility's condition, useful life and costs.
A community information initiative ยท Nanaimo, BC
Before an existing indoor tennis facility is removed, let's examine the alternatives.
The City of Nanaimo has purchased the Westwood Lake Tennis Club property. Before the existing indoor courts are removed, this site asks that the facility, community demand and practical operating alternatives be assessed through the public process.
4 indoor courts
Year-round access
Junior & adult programs
City recreation programming
Expected club closureNov. 1
Community response
A public petition is asking the City to preserve the indoor courts while alternatives are assessed.
The petition was launched September 17 and is hosted independently on Change.org.
The central question
The question is not whether the City should own the land.
The acquisition of land beside Westwood Lake Park and the future of the existing indoor recreation facility are separate policy questions.
Should an existing indoor recreation facility be removed before public consultation is completed and alternative operating models have been assessed?
The community request
A pause, not a permanent commitment.
We are not asking the City to commit to operating a municipal tennis club. We are asking that removal be deferred while the facility, community demand and alternative operating models are properly assessed.
Consult
Hear from residents, users and the wider recreation community.
Explore options
Test nonprofit, lease, partnership and community models.
Decide
Make an informed public decision once the evidence is available.
Why this matters
What year-round indoor tennis contributes
Year-round access
Indoor courts provide dependable recreational access during Nanaimo's wet fall and winter months.
Junior and community programming
The facility has supported children's instruction, adult recreation and programming beyond club membership.
Replacement would take time
If the facility is removed, comparable indoor capacity would require future planning, funding and construction.
Latest developments
What has happened most recently
Sep 17, 2026
Public petition launched
A community-organized petition asks City Council to preserve the indoor courts while alternatives are considered.
View petitionSep 16, 2026
City announces acquisition
The City announces the purchase of the Westwood Lake Tennis Club property and says the bubble will be removed.
2026 municipal election
Read candidates' positions in their own words.
Every mayoral and council candidate is being asked the same questions. Responses are published without endorsement or ranking.
Key dates
How the situation is unfolding
Occurred
Sep 16 2026
Acquisition announced
The City announces its purchase of the Westwood Lake Tennis Club property.
Occurred
Sep 17 2026
Community response begins
A community-organized public petition asks the City to preserve the indoor facility while alternatives are assessed.
Scheduled
Oct 17 2026
Municipal election
Nanaimo holds its general local election.
Expected
Nov 1 2026
Expected club closure
Westwood Lake Tennis Club is expected to cease operations.
Expected
Dec 18 2026
Expected possession
The City is expected to take possession of the property.
Future
Future
Planning and engagement
The City has indicated that broader planning and community engagement will shape future uses.
Frequently asked
Clear answers to common questions
Stay informed