Aurora Park Pickleball Courts: The pickleball courts at Aurora Park in Newton will soon be upgraded with new lighting. The Newton City Council recently approved the project to add lights, which will allow more people to use the courts during evening hours. The improvements are meant to support the growing interest in the sport.
Right now, the pickleball courts don’t have any lighting. This limits play to daytime only, making it hard for working people and organized leagues to use the courts. The courts opened last year after voters approved a park improvement bond.
Why the Upgrade Is Needed
The nearby tennis courts have lights, but they are over 20 years old and no longer meet today’s standards. The lighting system is costly to maintain and doesn’t light the courts evenly. The city decided it was time to make improvements to both tennis and pickleball areas.
The lack of lights on the pickleball courts has been a challenge as more people take up the sport. Without lighting, the courts cannot be used in the evening, which limits playing time for many in the community.
Project Bids and City Decision
Two companies submitted bids for the lighting project. Kline Electric of Des Moines offered the lowest bid at $346,146. Van Mannen Electric of Newton submitted a bid of $351,200. Both bids were lower than the engineer’s estimate of $471,529.
Council member Melissa Dalton raised a concern about possible change orders raising the final cost. City Administrator Matt Muckler responded,
“There are a million different scenarios, but basically if it’s something that we go out and it’s underneath the ground and no one could have known it … that’s when a change order comes. If it’s something to do with them not following the design, that’s why we have our staff.” – (Matt Muckler)
The city council approved the lighting upgrade in a 5-0 vote. Council member Joel Mills was not present for the vote.
What Comes Next
With the lighting approved, the next step is to schedule the work and complete the installation. Once finished, the new lights will allow for longer hours of use and better conditions for pickleball players. The city expects this change to boost participation in the sport and support future events or leagues.
News in Brief: Aurora Park Pickleball Courts
The Newton City Council approved new lighting for the Aurora Park pickleball courts. The $346,146 project by Kline Electric will help extend playtime into the evening. With pickleball growing in popularity, the upgrade makes the courts more usable for working adults and organized leagues.
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