Ian Birds: Badminton Club sets sights on gym

The following letter appeared in the Penticton Western News Advertiser, Mar 25 2007:

Re: Acquisition of Pen Hi north gymnasium/auditorium for badminton/sport purposes:

We are pleased to confirm that the Penticton Badminton Club has recently re-established itself as an active, viable group, capable of joining other interested sporting/artistic groups in taking over operation of the use of the above-mentioned facilities. The PBC for many years, leased the facilities from the Penticton school district and operated both adult and junior badminton programs in the evening and valley-wide tournaments on weekends.

All of these activities and associated social functions came to an end when the school district discontinued use of the Pen High gymnasium and relocated our activities to Wiltse School gymnasium. At a later date, the city made available the recreation centre on an ad-hoc basis. This facility is inadequate due to poor lighting and inappropriate wall colours. The Pen Hi gymnasium is far superior in this respect. Badminton activities have therefore suffered. Tournament play is now non-existent except for the other centres in the valley that attract the better players. A sad state of affairs for local merchants who benefited from local players and the influx of outside players from other areas coming to Penticton.

The PBC has, over the years, accumulated a substantial fund from membership dues and tournament registration fees. This income has been well invested and members have expressed a wish to explore investing in the establishment of the PBC in the Pen Hi gymnasium. We also encourage the efforts of other clubs and organizations who would wish to join with the PBC in entering a long-term lease through the City of Penticton of the lands containing both the gymnasium and the auditorium.

PBC would be available on short notice to enter into negotiations with municipal staff to formulate a policy of use for the said facilities and look forward to your support and reply in this regard.

Ian A.Birds President,
Penticton Badminton Club