Terrace Park Pickleball Court Conversion: Spring Lake Park is moving ahead with plans to turn tennis courts at Terrace Park, 410 79th Avenue NE, into dedicated pickleball courts. The City Council approved bids for the project, which came in under the $125,000 budget, during its most recent meeting.
Council Approves Project and Budget
The council voted 4-0, with one abstention, to award the main construction contract to Park Construction. The company’s base bid for resurfacing the courts, plus an alternate bid to install posts and nets, totaled $84,542.02.
A crack repair project for the nearby basketball courts was also approved. The Parks and Recreation Department had collected quotes for tennis court resurfacing and optional basketball improvements from Park Construction and New Look Contracting.
“That stays within our allocated budget of $125,000,”
said Scanlon.
“If you did want to alternate bid #1, which would be resurfacing the basketball courts, that would put us over the budget.”
Mayor Bob Nelson asked if tennis could still be played on the converted courts. Scanlon said it would be difficult but noted the high school has newer courts.
“Nobody asks me where to go play tennis, they ask where’s pickleball,” Nelson said.
The project will finish the approved pickleball conversion and leave about $40,000 unspent.
New Fire Inspection Tracking System
The council also approved purchasing The Compliance Engine, a cloud-based system from Brycer that tracks fire protection and safety inspections by third-party contractors.
The $25 per-report cost will be paid by contractors. The system is already used in many cities in Minnesota and across the U.S.
Code Enforcement recommended adoption, saying it will
“greatly enhance our ability to ensure compliance, protect our businesses and residents, and improve efficiency without any cost burden to the city.”
If approved, Code Enforcement will work with Brycer to implement the system and train local service providers.
GreenStep City Signage Approved
The council approved buying signs marking Spring Lake Park’s participation in the GreenStep Cities program.
“Two years ago Council Member April Moran and I agreed that we should move forward to becoming a Green Step city, and with the help of staff person Hailey Morrison, we completed the necessary paperwork,”
said Council Member Barbara Goodboe-Bisschoff.
Last year, the city earned its first GreenStep award. At this year’s convention in Duluth, it will be eligible for signage.
“This is a very prestigious honor that also helps with receiving grant monies,”
Goodboe-Bisschoff said.
“The GreenStep program identifies ways a community complies with both honoring the environment and also its residents. I believe we should move forward with this.”
“I could have not said it better, Barbara, that was beautiful and I agree with you 100%,” Moran said.
News in Brief: Terrace Park Pickleball Court Conversion
Spring Lake Park approved converting Terrace Park’s tennis courts into pickleball courts for $84,542. The council also adopted a new fire inspection tracking system at no cost to the city and approved GreenStep Cities program signage to mark its environmental achievement.