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- calendar_today October 21, 2026
Nanaimo Council Votes to Retain Indoor Tennis Bubble
The City of Nanaimo has officially decided to keep the Westwood Lake indoor tennis bubble in operation. The decision came after a special in-camera meeting held on October 14, where council members voted in support of retaining the facility. The bubble, situated on Arbot Road adjacent to Westwood Lake Park, was previously set for removal in mid-December, marking a significant shift in the facility’s fate.
Community Advocacy and Nonprofit Management
The change follows widespread lobbying from both Westwood Lake Tennis Club members and residents from the surrounding community. Their efforts centered on maintaining public access to indoor tennis facilities, especially with the impending closure of the private Westwood Lake Tennis Club, which had been for sale for over a year.
Whitman Tomusiak, a tennis coach with the club, expressed his relief and excitement over the council’s decision. "The city did actually do a really good job of being adaptive to this situation," Tomusiak remarked. "I’m happy, and even surprised that they sort of won that battle." He noted that the Nanaimo and Area Indoor Tennis Society, a local nonprofit, will operate the bubble as a public facility for at least the next year. Tomusiak believes the transition will enhance public tennis access during the winter months, providing valuable opportunities for tennis winter activities in Nanaimo.
Transition and Operating Agreement
City staff are set to begin developing an operational agreement with the nonprofit society. As the Westwood Lake Tennis Club is scheduled to close on November 1, the facility’s continuation under a nonprofit aligns with the community’s expressed needs. The arrangement is seen as a short-term solution to preserve indoor tennis facilities and maintain momentum for organized tennis in the region.
Backdrop: Westwood Lake Park Expansion Plans
The city’s decision follows its recent acquisition of the land surrounding the bubble, announced on September 16. The purchase was motivated by a plan to expand Westwood Lake Park by adding a hectare of land, which would provide additional parking and improved access to existing mountain bike trails and a public beach. Charlotte Davis, Nanaimo’s director of parks and recreation, stated at the time that the city had acquired the land, not the tennis business itself, and initially did not intend to operate a club at the site.
Discussion had also surfaced about moving indoor tennis to Beban Park, a more central location in Nanaimo. Turning the tennis bubble into a public amenity at Beban Park could facilitate greater public tennis access, but such plans would require years to implement.
Looking Ahead for Nanaimo Tennis
For now, the local tennis community sees the decision as a victory. Tomusiak mentioned that while he supports the idea of a more permanent public indoor tennis facility, he emphasized the immediate need for access as colder weather approaches. "I'm sure eventually it will turn into a city park, just like the city planned," he said. "Tennis will just move somewhere else in town in a couple years – we'll figure that out and hopefully keep it going with even better courts then."
The continuation of the indoor tennis bubble as a publicly operated site ensures that Nanaimo tennis enthusiasts will have a place to play throughout the winter months, with the facility now under the stewardship of a nonprofit tennis society and the city exploring longer-term solutions.
Source: cbc.ca.
