[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5982187,"mediaKeyId","5776186-f7a89a5ac195bc6fa040031a16db1cb3","parentId",5776186,"title","Portage parks staff reports court construction complete, shelter RFP and other park improvements","audioSeconds",52,"startMs",774000,"endMs",826000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776186-f7a89a5ac195bc6fa040031a16db1cb3&start=774&end=826","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776186-f7a89a5ac195bc6fa040031a16db1cb3/thumbnail_774000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5982187/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Portage-parks-staff-reports-court-construction-complete-shelter-RFP-and-other-park-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982187-f07a87b9be84122e59f6c34ea026787e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770645310&Signature=hWI5wS658jkCqICo6ARgYyTaqJMXwGgz2x5hNAd-TdxOLGcKBMP3bUWbXvetLXE-i0yTAwMYYmYCz-jdbgvQM8C2xJhdc1u5Ukw3lW9MSWrmCEM-NBA2YKoxno5g8TcMez3rzmLJet7er-t985usbqBq3UIqR14epB2qIvzCK4pYHrMS0nifwt0TR2HwudEgRtL0wjRzsE5OT2W23YAQJhtisSVXoAorYJjzGEXBi6y7f5W1zJvCcNKIbS79TrR6vOtcg8l4S5vFHeODkRLErH1jhNMkldgatL7YFPxPbCBHkAUzKhbtqFfsgEUviQugKbC3inKPyCacE39KagPwsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portage, IN","date","2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","article","Parks staff told the Portage Park Board that construction work on the city's outdoor courts is complete and additional small projects are moving forward.

Why it matters: the completed court work opens a new recreation resource for residents once curing and final checks are complete, and the shelter RFP and other site improvements signal continued investment in park infrastructure.

Staff said fencing and net posts have been installed, the courts were power-washed and coring holes for net posts were cleaned, and the surface requires a 30-day curing period before play can begin. \"The construction process for the fencing is complete. The net posts are installed. The court was power washed,\" the parks staff said. Staff said work by the contractor (named Game Plan Solutions in meeting materials) will continue and that an outdoor shelter RFP will go out to local contractors by the end of next week; pricing is expected to be presented at the October meeting.

Staff also reported community engagement and site work updates: a park cleanup at Frank Gilbert Park was run with seven volunteers coordinated by Horizon Bank; Miami Park has a walking-trail site visit scheduled with maintenance staff and PTS; a gate for Hannah's Hope has been ordered and staff hope to install it by year-end for a follow-up ribbon cutting; and new park-rule signs are being produced with the street department.

The board heard that the previously planned tournament (Leaf and Lab Tournament) was scaled back in favor of a free grand opening and clinics to allow more time for planning. Staff said volunteer coaches and PPR-certified coaches will run clinics and etiquette/safety sessions during the grand opening.

Staff asked the board to attend the ribbon-cutting and opening events; the board set the next meeting date for Oct. 21.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article are restricted to those who spoke at the meeting as listed by the board or staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","COP Park Board Mtg 09-16-25","oneSentenceSummary","Parks staff told the board that fencing, net posts and court power-washing are complete, courts need a 30-day cure before play, and a request for proposals (RFP) for an outdoor shelter will be released next week; staff also reported a recent park cleanup and other small capital items.","taxTitle","Portage City, Porter County, Indiana","taxId",53966,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982192,"Portage Park Board OKs ice-rink admissions and $5 skate rental; number of skates not specified",20,659000,679000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776186-f7a89a5ac195bc6fa040031a16db1cb3&start=659&end=679","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776186-f7a89a5ac195bc6fa040031a16db1cb3/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/5982192/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Portage-Park-Board-OKs-ice-rink-admissions-and-5-skate-rental-number-of-skates-not-specified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982192-89c199760659fdf96d62a1f20f18de2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770645310&Signature=b76fleRlu7Db3YNwJQakRWUjXwSsNY~K5NWwg-p8wYgBc4LJN0r6QlT6h5z4BojypR6gAm1dtDDmeWh5Ny34E7ZQc5K75rZh~32ICGiZlNjc4TvgRmDOUQd-e8Vumofkn6BWPLWZZIjAdJE73Z64MvfD~-Sp~vn1biq-4dlyHla7g5bUlW~u15o0j0Eq2sp~QoxwrhHegaetXITU4veL1HQ0pX2z-g1MkHTOeqyuDJFuihfm6PsHU10LVQceltCgJujm4cIRa1HVNXhO4OtVtsBOkOVIJEH79juM4RvzqouhaISBTtLfcVcrPzoNVjzQj4PZirPA~5P069Gux64y3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a recent Portage Park Board meeting, members approved admission pricing for a city-run ice rink and authorized a flat $5 skate rental fee. The board voted to accept the fees after staff presented a proposed range for admissions.

Why it matters: the ice rink will be a new seasonal amenity that can generate program revenue and increase park visits, but details about skate inventory and exact adult pricing remain to be finalized.

Park staff presented a range of $5 to $10 for admission, suggesting students, children and seniors would be charged $5 with adults at the higher end of the range. The board voted to approve the fee schedule. \"We're looking at an open range of 5 to 10 but . . . I would think students, children and seniors will be at a $5 and then we could go up to 10 with adults,\" the park staff said.

The board also approved a flat $5 skate-rental fee. When asked how many skates the city will have on hand, staff said the contracted company will furnish the skates as part of the ice-games contract but did not provide a specific count at the meeting. \"They're bringing them, so we don't have to worry about that. It's included in the contract. But sorry. I don't have the number,\" the park staff said.

The staff said the ice-games installation is scheduled to begin Nov. 17, and the ice-rink contract was signed Sept. 10. The board approved the fees by roll call.

Notes on scope: the rental fee and admission pricing were approved administratively; staff will follow up with the contractor to confirm skate inventory and any tiered admission prices before opening.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article are restricted to those who spoke at the meeting as listed by the board or staff.","The Portage Park Board approved a pricing structure for ice-rink admissions and a flat $5 skate rental fee; staff said the rental company will supply skates but did not specify quantities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982196,"Portage Park Board approves city-run pickleball leagues and schedules grand opening",235,329000,564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776186-f7a89a5ac195bc6fa040031a16db1cb3&start=329&end=564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776186-f7a89a5ac195bc6fa040031a16db1cb3/thumbnail_329000.jpg","/articles/5982196/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Portage-Park-Board-approves-city-run-pickleball-leagues-and-schedules-grand-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982196-f652b1ea7e4f8912da7cbcb9b5709d6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770645310&Signature=gfxb-iE6oRImLUPBPthF0d0oQsb0ZPmpX6WjBisofQu7RJIvfCLEczU0TvR6iMiKxPTk~hsVmxQd8CIDHQKaUZq7m-OP3Ag1yq9wWC0UDkEvYLz7YEbTJ4dR7hf~nThMH-sfaW~-XRSxFfSIVogFIhYvzH2Jccdn67kuqZrTVmGrKELF0HxEF7zJLMGo3QZkX2tDv9rs--IpCJ6dsvhZxLhhqdtUn4jGywrycmbAy~oUgWvs3eX4~HXesmvHEWUOeYZzpXL1Xw1sWRnSMar9hgRaJx3txDD-~W2BmuM1tOA5ksjt1NiLiZW3v4qtbd2GbZAZ7i5r81O9KRLGrDCoUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a recent Portage Park Board meeting, members approved a set of pickleball programs and associated fees and partnerships to run leagues, ladder nights and a community grand opening at the city's park courts. The board voted to authorize the register of personal service contracts that includes a coordinator for pickleball operations.

The vote authorizes five-week leagues with organized play and a separate ladder-night format, and it formalizes a partnership with community volunteers and an outside organizer to handle scheduling and administration. The park staff said the five-week leagues will include five games per week (25 total games) and that resident and nonresident pricing was proposed; staff described the resident fee as $100 and the nonresident fee as $120. Park staff cautioned that some pricing and program details remain flexible as organizers finalize registration and administration.

Why it matters: organized recreation programs are new revenue and community- engagement activities for the parks department and could increase use of the recently improved courts.

Park staff described the ladder-night format and the role volunteers will play. \"A ladder night involves, you play you try to get to the best court. So, if you lose a game, you go down. If you win a game, you go up,\" said Sherry, a Portage resident and member of Pickleball Partners. Park staff said the vendor and volunteers will coordinate brackets, levels of play and clinic schedules using a registration app.

Park staff said the city contracted with a coordinator that will use an app called Team Reach to create brackets and schedule players. \"It creates the brackets. It schedules people to put them in their level of play whether you're a 2.5 player or a 3.5,\" the park staff said. The staff also said the organizer links participants to the Global Pickleball Network so players begin building an online record of skill level.

Volunteers and local enthusiasts will provide coaching and run clinics during the grand opening, the staff said, and sponsors have offered cash and in-kind donations to support the event. \"They have volunteered to give . . . and they're doing all the mini clinics as well as helped create the whole lineup of the day,\" the park staff said. The staff said some donations include cash (a $500 gift was named during the discussion) and donated food; the full donation list and amounts were not specified in the meeting record.

The board also discussed outreach to thank volunteers and donors; one board member suggested preparing a letter on board letterhead to recognize contributions.

Looking ahead, the parks staff invited the board to a ribbon-cutting and the grand-opening events and announced a community tournament, the \"Dink or Treat Scramble,\" set for Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. Staff said the grand-opening events will include clinics, exhibition matches for kids and seniors, and open play. Registration is already open through the organizer's app, staff said.

Notes on scope and remaining items: staff and volunteers said they will continue to finalize pricing, the exact list of donated goods and the full volunteer schedule; those items were described in discussion but not adopted as separate motions.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article are restricted to those who spoke at the meeting as listed by the board or staff.","The Portage Park Board approved a city-run set of pickleball programs — leagues, ladder nights and a grand opening — partnering with local volunteers and an outside coordinator to run registration and clinics.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Portage parks staff reports court construction complete, shelter RFP and other park improvements

Portage Park Board OKs ice-rink admissions and $5 skate rental; number of skates not specified

Portage Park Board approves city-run pickleball leagues and schedules grand opening