A popular Nanaimo park is about to get bigger, but exactly what comes next for the new land has yet to be decided. The City of Nanaimo is purchasing 2.85 acres beside Westwood Lake Park for $2.88 million, creating more space for recreation, public access and potential community uses. The property at 2367 Arbot Rd. has been home to the Westwood Racquet Club. The club will cease operations Nov. 1, after which the tennis bubble will be removed. The city is set to take ownership on Dec. 18 and expects to open the property to the public shortly afterward. The existing outdoor tennis courts are expected to be available for public use, although the city will not operate the site as a tennis club. The property also includes landscaped grounds, walkways, gravel parking areas and buildings that could potentially be repurposed for community use. The city says future possibilities include additional recreation amenities, community gathering space, recreation programming and expanded parking. Some changes are expected sooner. The city plans to improve signage, the entrance and access to the property once it becomes part of the park. A broader planning process will determine how the land is ultimately integrated into Westwood Lake Park. Community engagement will be part of that process, giving residents an opportunity to weigh in on potential future uses. “This is an exciting opportunity to build on recent improvements to the area and the recreational and natural assets that make Westwood Lake Park such a valued destination. We look forward to working with the community to help shape the future of this popular park in beautiful Nanaimo,” Mayor Leonard Krog said in a statement. Westwood Lake Park already features walking and mountain biking trails, a swimming area, a dog off leash section, an accessible fishing float and a children’s playground. The park also underwent several improvements in 2025, including a new washroom building, expanded beach area, enhanced trails, public art and accessibility upgrades. For now, the property will become part of Westwood Lake Park. What it eventually becomes, however, will be shaped through future planning and public input.
