Pouring Bids for County’s Pickleball Complex: In a significant step towards enhancing recreational infrastructure, Bartholomew County has moved closer to realizing its ambitious plan for a tournament-quality, 12-court pickleball complex south of Garden City. The project, slated for development near Dunn Stadium, has drawn an unexpected level of interest, with eight separate companies submitting bids for the construction of the illuminated facility.
For local officials, Monday’s bid submission event was a pleasant surprise. In recent years, both city and county authorities have faced challenges in attracting construction proposals, often struggling to secure bids that aligned with financial expectations. Historically, the bids that did come in frequently exceeded the engineer’s estimates. However, this time around, three of the eight bids for county’s pickleball complex came in below the anticipated costs.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the companies bidding for County’s Pickleball Complex, listed from the highest bid to the lowest :
- PAF Excavation and Dredging of Seymour: $837,628
- Dave O’Mara Contractors of North Vernon: $798,993
- Milestone Contractors of Columbus: $740,538
- Charles C. Brandt Construction of Indianapolis: $699,900
- Scenic Construction Services of New Whiteland: $693,300
- King’s Trucking and Excavation of Seymour: $586,100
- MacDougall Pierce Construction of Fishers: $574,800
- Case Construction Inc. of Edinburgh: $530,706
However, the decision on who will secure the contract won’t hinge solely on the lowest base bid. Each company was required to submit two alternate bids: one for upgrading the court surfaces from asphalt to reinforced concrete, and another for additional site furnishings like bleachers and picnic tables. This comprehensive evaluation approach aims to ensure the best value and quality for the county’s investment.
Bartholomew County Parks Director Rich Day, along with DLZ Indiana engineering consultant Charlie Day and other county administrators, will review the submissions to determine the optimal combination of base bids and alternates. Notably, DLZ Indiana, the firm behind the court designs, will play a crucial role in this assessment process.
The county has set an ambitious timeline, with commissioners expressing hopes last November to have all 12 courts completed by the end of this year. Adding a strategic financial advantage, the county is set to save up to $100,000 by utilizing crews from the Bartholomew County Highway Department for preliminary tasks such as digging, grading, and other preparatory work.
The project site presents its own set of challenges, particularly due to its geography. Charlie Day explained, “It was a difficult site with the fact that the land slopes down to the BMX area, so considerable fill was needed to bring it up to a level conditioned for the pickleball courts,” . To address these issues, the county has enlisted Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc. of Indianapolis. This firm is tasked with ensuring the fill dirt and base meet strict compaction specifications, a process estimated to span about three weeks at a cost of less than $15,000.
The drive to build this complex comes as pickleball enjoys a rise in popularity across the Columbus area. This sport, which blends elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, has seen a remarkable uptick in participation.
As the evaluation process unfolds, all eyes will be on Bartholomew County as it inches closer to delivering a state-of-the-art pickleball complex that promises to be a significant asset for local sports enthusiasts.
News in brief: Pouring Bids for County’s Pickleball Complex
Bartholomew County is building a 12-court pickleball complex near Dunn Stadium. This is a big surprise as they usually struggle to attract bids for construction projects. Eight companies submitted bids, with three coming in under budget. The winning company will be chosen based on a combination of price and additional services offered. The county hopes to save money by using their own crews for some of the work and expects the complex to be finished by the end of the year. The popularity of pickleball in the area is driving this project.
Also read: Montgomery County Welcomes 2 Indoor Pickleball Centers
