Tennis BC pilot reservation system draws mixed reviews
A paid booking system for courts at Kits Beach and Queen Elizabeth Park aims to improve access but has sparked concerns about fairness.
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Tennis BC has launched a paid reservation pilot at some of Vancouver's most sought-after courts, hoping to ease crowding and improve access — but players are divided on whether the system works.
The pilot covers three courts at Kits Beach and four at Queen Elizabeth Park. Tennis BC, in partnership with the Park Board, designed the system to increase inclusivity and accessibility, but feedback has been mixed.
"We were blindsided by this proposal," said Joshua Hobbs, co-founder of the Raincity Tennis Club. "Seeing this come through was met with quite high emotions like 'yes this is fantastic,' and 'oh no, my courts are being taken away.'"
One player, Alex Cordero, launched a petition to drop the Kitsilano courts from the pilot, arguing the system creates an unfair advantage. "The beauty of public courts in Vancouver is that everyone waits, and everyone is okay with waiting," Cordero said. "Now with the booking system, only those with the app and money have an unfair advantage."
Unreserved courts remain free to use, according to Henry Choi, executive director of Tennis BC. "The community still have access to those," he said. "And those who have avoided the area because of the overflow, they have the ability to reserve and go to the courts to really enjoy their time."
Tennis BC says reservation fees will be funnelled back into city facilities. The pilot runs until the end of September, and a permanent decision will be made based on public feedback.