The Sooke Badminton Club has been around for decades. And since it began sometime in the 1930s, it has kept the raquet sport thriving in the community.
Today the club is doing well with regular groups of up to 25 people coming out to play, but according to the club's organizer Levi Salo, it hasn't always been that way.
"The club kind of seemed like it was fizzling a little bit, like it was almost dying," said Salo, who took over the club four years ago and has continued promoting it ever since.
Salo began playing badminton when he was a child growing up in the float camp logging community of Rivers Inlet. Without too many other kids around, sports like hockey were out of the question. The outside deck space was just large enough for a regulation-sized badminton court, and when Salo's parents installed the court his love began.
"It's something I grew up with, it's a very good sport for exercise. You use all your body playing badminton," said Salo. "It's also a good fun sport to play for those who are not into such a serious game."
The Sooke Badminton Club is hosted by the Edward Milne Community School Society and offers drop-in sessions twice a week at Journey Middle School Gym. The 6-7:15 p.m. session caters to beginners and casual players, while the 7:15-9 p.m. session is for more advanced players. Adults pay only $5 and kids get in free. Having two sessions has allowed them to cater to a diverse group of players and create a more fun experience for everyone.
"I want to build a fun club. That's my biggest thing," said Salo. "The most fun that people have is where they play a game that is at a level that they want to play at. That's what I want to see."
Salo's runs the club with Chris Brown, another longtime badminton player, and they are more than willing to teach the game to new players. Their commitment to making the club fun and welcoming new players is likely part of what has made them successful for so long.
"If there's people that want to come and just be by themselves and have a court to play on, they can do that, or if there are people who really want to come and learn, we will teach them," said Salo.
The group is indeed diverse, with the most veteran players in their 70s and their most junior hovering around age six.
"Everyone is welcome. It's just open to someone who wants to come up like kids, adults, whatever the skill level," said Salo.
Those interested in checking out the club can find more information on their Facebook page.
