A Chilliwack resident has lodged a human rights complaint due to noise from a pickleball court that he claims dealing with is worse than death.
Rajnish Dhawan wrote a letter to the City of Chilliwack regarding his complaints about the exposure to pickleball noise that he and his family have been subjected to.
Dhawan also plans to embark on a hunger strike with his partner.
- You might also like:
- No badminton for you: Surrey sues resident for painting court on road
- American CFL player didn't know Canadian rule and it cost his team the game
- Tenant who felt threatened by landlord sued for moving out without notice
According to Dhawan, the “extremely dangerous noise” emanating from the pickleball courts in Kinsmen Park is “scientifically proven.”
He also claims that by the City of Chilliwack’s admission, the courts were constructed without considering any noise or best practices. We touched base with the City of Chilliwack, and here’s what it had to say.
For starters, the City says that it has only received a complaint from one neighbour. On top of that, the City states it has restricted play times at the court from 9 am until dusk.
“Staff have followed up with the Pickleball Club to achieve better cooperation with ending games by 8 pm.”
Furthermore, signage has been added to recommend that after 4 pm, foam balls be used.
“Staff have also reached out to local sports stores requesting that they stock foam balls for local pickleball enthusiasts.”
The courts are closed over the winter and were scheduled to reopen in March, but staff delayed the opening until April at the neighbour’s request. City staff have also installed sound-attenuating material to reduce the noise heard outside the courts.
If that wasn’t enough, Chilliwack City Council has approved funding for an indoor pickleball court, and once it opens, the Kinsmen Park court will be closed. How have these changes helped Dhawan?
He suggests that bylaw officers have not adequately enforced the rules put in place.
“The courts continue to function as they were functioning 11 months ago.”
He adds that his family is subjected to “physical, mental, emotional, and psychological abuse consistently by making us feel like second-class citizens of this country.”
“I left the country in April with the hope that the City will fulfill its promise and start the process of decommissioning the courts and repurposing of the space in the summer. My wife was left alone to deal with the constant assault on her senses.”
Dhawan’s hunger strike begins on Sunday at 9 am and will not end until justice is served.
“As staunch followers of Mahatma Gandhi, we have decided to follow the path shown by him to deal with systemic injustice. We will start a peaceful protest in the form of [a] daily hunger strike at the Pickleball courts on Kinsmen Park, until the City fulfils its promise and decommissions the courts. We would prefer death over continuing to live the life of Second Class citizens that we have been reduced to.”
He signed his letter to the City of Chilliwack, “the less privileged residents of Chilliwack.”
Follow Channels and Categories