Pickleball Court Project in Carson City: The Carson City Board of Supervisors will convene on Thursday to evaluate a substantial contract, approaching nearly $1.1 million, aimed at establishing a dedicated pickleball complex at Mills Park. The session is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. in the community center board room located at 851 E. William St. Supervisors are expected to deliberate on a proposed contract with Spanish Springs Construction Inc. valued at $1,069,398 for the Mills Park Pickleball Complex Project.
Notably, the funding for this initiative derives from different sources than the recently announced $14.9 million grant award through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. The project, if sanctioned, will facilitate the replacement of two existing unusable tennis courts with six new post-tension concrete pickleball courts.
“This project, if approved, would authorize the replacement of two existing unusable tennis courts with six new post-tension concrete pickleball courts.” – (agenda)
According to the agenda, the scope of work involves demolition, grading, installation of post-tension concrete, modifications to fencing, drainage improvements, surfacing, striping, and the installation of net sleeves, posts, and nets. The new footprint will extend beyond the previous courts, necessitating some landscape modifications to the north and west.
“Scope of work includes demolition, grading, post-tension concrete, 8-foot fencing modifications, 4-foot fences to divide the courts, drainage improvements, surfacing, striping, net sleeves, posts and nets.” – (agenda)
“The new footprint will be larger than the previous and requires some landscape modifications to the north and west.” – (agenda)
Community Efforts and Contributions
In a collaborative effort initiated in 2019, residents Dave Whitefield and Juana Beguelin partnered with the Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation, a private non-profit organization, along with the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Department. Their vision centers on transforming the unusable tennis courts at Mills Park into vibrant pickleball courts for community use.
“with a vision to transform unusable tennis courts at Mills Park into pickleball courts for the community.” – (staff report)
The Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation has successfully raised approximately $90,000, with about $50,000 earmarked for additional amenities such as shade structures, benches, signage, and more, which are not included in the base bid.
“FCCPR has fundraised approximately $90,000, with approximately $50,000 identified toward new amenities (shade, benches, signage, etc.) as part of this project (not included in the base bid).” – (staff report)
Furthermore, the organization has contributed an impressive 3,500 hours of volunteer labor, valued at approximately $118,895, marking a significant cost-saving contribution to the city.
“FCCPR has also contributed approximately 3,500 hours of volunteer labor at an in-kind value of $118,895, a significant contribution and cost savings to the city.” – (staff report)
“If approved, this project will replace the two remaining unplayable concrete tennis courts into six new pickleball courts with improved spacing and separation fencing which will be better suited for tournament-style play, which is desired by the local community and of interest to the Culture and Tourism Authority (Visit Carson City).” – (staff report)
This enhancement is anticipated to meet the local community’s desires and align with the interests of the Culture and Tourism Authority (Visit Carson City). Moreover, the project aims to revive a previously blighted area of the park, providing health and wellness through outdoor recreation and providing a new universally accessible amenity within one of the city’s busiest parks.
“The project will not only replace a blighted area of the park, but also promote health and wellness through outdoor recreation and a new universally accessible amenity in one of the city’s busiest parks.” – (staff report)
Funding Sources and Future Considerations
This pickleball project has been allocated $421,850 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. City staff noted that due to the allocation of ARPA funds in 2021, the project did not qualify for the recent $14.9 million grant award through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.
In addition to reviewing the contract, supervisors will consider enhancing the pickleball project by reallocating funds from other projects that came in under budget, were canceled, or found alternative funding sources. This includes the fiscal year 2025 Community Development Block Grant program, which has $170,790 available.
Additional Agenda Items
In other business, supervisors will examine a petition for establishing the Lompa Ranch North Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) to oversee the maintenance of landscaping within drainage facilities in the planned Lompa Ranch North development.
“for the maintenance of landscaping within drainage facilities in the planned Lompa Ranch North development.” – (agenda)
The LMD will be entirely funded by the assessed properties within the district, requiring no financial contribution from the city.
“The LMD will be entirely funded by the assessed properties within the LMD and no financial contribution by the city will be required.” – (agenda)
A staff report indicates that the area’s developers initiated the petition. While a 10-acre public park will be constructed as part of the development, maintenance will fall entirely to a Homeowners Association (HOA) and will not be included in the LMD.
“There will be a 10-acre public park constructed as part of the development, but that will be maintained entirely by a Homeowners Association (HOA) and will not be part of the LMD.” – (report)
The LMD includes six distinct development teams with ownership of a total of 181.21 acres in the Lompa Ranch North area of Carson City. An initial Reserve Study estimated the cost to fund the LMD at $86,000 for Fiscal Year 2025, which will serve as a guide for future years.
“The LMD comprises six distinct development teams owning a total 181.21 acres in the Lompa Ranch North area of Carson City. The cost to fund the LMD was determined by an initial Reserve Study, drafted by a third party consultant and funded by the developers, which was estimated to be $86,000 for Fiscal Year 2025 and intended to be a guide for future years.” – (report)
Supervisors will also review a development agreement with the LMD developers, addressing warranty, indemnification, dedication, and deposit provisions related to the establishment of the LMD.
“provides for warranty, indemnification, dedication and deposit provisions concerning the development and establishment of the LMD.” – (agenda)
As the new legislative cycle approaches in 2025, supervisors are expected to ratify a revised bill draft request concerning the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the Virginia and Truckee Railway Act of 1993.
“Following submission of the BDR on Aug. 15, staff continued working with stakeholders and soliciting input on the legislation.” – (report)
Staff identified the need to refine the original concept, which had little chance of becoming law. The revised proposal seeks a comprehensive evaluation of the commission’s structure, duties, powers, and financial viability, recommending potential changes for future legislation.
“Following this feedback, city staff determined that the original BDR concept, as presented, stood little chance of becoming law. Staff revised the BDR to propose that the Nevada Legislature’s Interim Committee on Growth and Infrastructure conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the commission, including its structure, duties, powers and financial viability, and make recommendations for legislation relating thereto, including whether the commission should be reorganized, terminated or have its duties modified.” – (report)
Lastly, supervisors will consider adopting two ordinances on second reading, aimed at updating Title 18 of the city code regarding zoning and the title’s appendix, which contains the city’s development standards. The initial reading of these ordinances received approval on October 3.
News in Brief: Pickleball Court Project in Carson City
The Carson City Board of Supervisors will review a nearly $1.1 million contract on Thursday for the Mills Park Pickleball Complex, which will replace unusable tennis courts with six new pickleball courts.
This pickleball project, championed by local residents, has secured funding from various sources, including $421,850 in ARPA dollars. Additionally, the supervisors will discuss the creation of a Landscape Maintenance District and other agenda items, including revisions to zoning ordinances and legislative proposals.
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