Latest twist in pickleball controversy leaves P.E.I. town without new courts and mayor [Video]

Kensington’s town council has reversed its plans to help fund a set of pickleball courts, a week its mayor resigned over the issue, saying the small P.E.I. town couldn’t afford them.

On Nov. 25, council voted 3-2 to spend about $289,000 on a six-court pickleball facility, or possibly less if fundraising efforts came up with some cash. The Canada Games Legacy Fund would provide another $270,000.

Rowan Caseley, who was in his 10th year as mayor, had been vocal in insisting the money could be better spent elsewhere, given the town already had four places for people to play pickleball. He saw his fellow councillors’ action as a “vote of non-confidence” in his leadership and resigned that same night.

Now, after a closed-door meeting Tuesday night, councillors have voted to reverse the original decision to fund the facility.

In a news release Wednesday, the town said that after the original …