A contract for the construction of the voter-approved pickleball courts project moved closer Monday, when four bids submitted by potential contractors were opened by City staff.
Keleher Architects, which completed the design phase of the project, will review the submissions and make a recommendation to City staff for the construction. The City Council will consider final approval of a contract during its Nov. 6 meeting.
“This has been a high-interest project since it was first pitched to the City Council to include for voter consideration in the 2020 General Obligation Bond Issue,” said Director of Engineering Micah Siemers. “It was approved by voters in that election, and we received funding to begin the design phase last year.”
Siemers said design on the project is complete and, assuming the council awards a bid contract during its Nov. 6 meeting, construction could start by the end of the calendar year “or certainly within the first quarter of 2024.” He said if the construction schedule stays on-target and weather permitting, the courts could be ready to use by summer.
The base bid includes:
- 6 pickleball courts
- Perimeter fence
- Fencing to separate each court
- Fenced-off isle running down the middle of the courts
- Covered benches
There are three bid alternates* for two additional courts, court sports lighting and two 20-feet by 25-feet shade structures on the east end of the courts for spectators or people waiting to play.
The courts, which are expected to cost $450,000 to construct, will be located north of the tennis courts in Sooner Park. (The existing tennis courts will remain.)
If the bid opening occurs as planned, a construction contract could be considered by the City Council at its Nov. 6 meeting, and construction could start as early as December. However, the first quarter of 2024 might be a safer bet.
*Alternate bid items are often included in project bids so that additional work can be considered in the bid if there is enough funding available once the base bid requirements are met.