Hot Springs Pickleball Facility Upgrades: The Hot Springs Board of Directors will consider contracts tonight for improvements to pickleball, tennis, and soccer facilities, using nearly $400,000 from the general fund. The funding is a temporary measure while the city awaits the sports recreation master plan, which is expected early next year.
Sports Recreation Plan Underway
The city contracted Halff Associates, a consulting firm from Little Rock, in July for $100,000 to develop the sports recreation master plan. The plan will evaluate locations for a complex or multiple complexes that can accommodate pickleball, tennis, and soccer. City Manager Bill Burrough told the board the plan could take several years to take shape.
“The $38 million balance in the general fund has been identified as a potential source of funding,” Burrough said. “Those are bridges as we go through this next process,” referring to resurfacing tennis courts and adding pickleball striping at Kimery and Family parks.
Tennis and Pickleball Court Work
The Kimery Park courts, built on a brush and tree fill, have developed cracks and voids after previous resurfacing. Burrough said in July that three of the seven courts were beyond repair. Pro Track and Tennis Inc. submitted the lowest bid at $151,880, which the city negotiated down to $109,040, removing unnecessary items. The contract includes close to 3,000 linear feet of RiteWay crack repair and pickleball striping at both parks.
District 3 Director Marcia Dobbs-Smith noted that she rarely sees tennis courts being used at Kimery or Family parks. The city said it does not track court usage. A group used the Kimery Park courts on Saturdays until recently.
Soccer Field Upgrades
The consent agenda also includes a $278,800 contract with Pilgreen Electrical Service of Gurdon for LED lights at Linden and Kimery Park soccer fields. Lights for Kimery Park were added at the request of District 4 Director Dudley Webb, who has pushed for field improvements since 2023. Pilgreen’s bid was the lowest of six submitted.
Before the master plan, the city had suggested converting the fields into parking and making Linden Park the main soccer venue. Kimery Park, the main softball venue, hosts large tournaments where parking is limited.
These contracts provide immediate upgrades while the city plans long-term solutions through the sports recreation master plan. Improvements to courts and fields aim to maintain safe, usable facilities for the community.
News in Brief: Hot Springs Pickleball Facility Upgrades
The Hot Springs Board of Directors will consider contracts for tennis, pickleball, and soccer upgrades. Nearly $400,000 in general fund money will fund resurfacing, pickleball striping, and LED lights at Kimery and Family parks. The city awaits a sports recreation master plan from Halff Associates, expected early next year.