Oak Harbor presents eight‑court pickleball plan for Fort Nugent Park; funding and permits remain uncertain

At the May 12, 2025 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, consultants from RWD Landscape Architects presented a finalized design and budget estimate for an eight‑court pickleball facility planned in the northeast corner of Fort Nugent Park.

The project design calls for eight courts — two designated as accessible courts — accessible parking, and an accessible ramp with grades under 5 percent from the existing lot to the courts. Don Campbell of RWD said, "what you're gonna see is the ... plan we're moving forward with ... it's still 8 courts, not 4. It's still 8. 2 of the courts are, termed handicap accessible, and, we have, handicap parking." Phil Vandevanner described stormwater work that will accompany paving: because poor fill soils must be excavated, the project will use crushed gravel beneath the courts as on‑site stormwater detention and route collected water to a nearby pond.

Brian, Parks staff, told the commission the team plans to submit city permit applications in mid‑June. He said finalizing stormwater design is the remaining technical step and that permitting typically takes three to four months, estimating a permit window of roughly July through early October. Construction will follow once permits and financing are in place.

The preliminary budget shown to the commission totals $1,038,000 with additive alternates included and a 15 percent contingency; RWD noted the figure anticipates "on‑island" pricing and an escalation factor for next‑year construction costs. Don Campbell explained the three bid alternates: (1) sport‑court acrylic surfacing (colored playing surface vs. plain asphalt), (2) a concrete curb around the courts to protect edges, and (3) fence‑mounted windscreens. He said the alternates improve longevity or comfort but are not required to play on striped courts.

Commissioners and staff discussed logistics including a construction entrance from Ridgeway Drive intended to avoid disrupting other park events, and plans to raise a berm between the courts and nearby residences to help mitigate noise. Structural engineering has been completed for the fencing so screens can be installed now or at a later date, RWD said.

On funding, Brian reported the state budget proposals in the House and Senate combined the Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF) and Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities grant lists, which placed the Oak Harbor pickleball project lower on the regional list. "Oak Harbor Pickleball Courts listed as a second alternate, for the North Sound region," he said, adding that budgets will not be final until the governor signs them. Commissioners were advised to keep the project shovel‑ready to remain competitive for grants and to pursue alternative funding, including community donations and working with groups such as the North Whidbey Picklers Association and the U.S. Pickleball Association for fundraising support.

No formal motion or vote on construction or funding occurred at the meeting. Staff was directed to proceed with final stormwater design, submit permit applications, continue grant applications and fundraising outreach, and return updates to the commission.

Community next steps include continuing the permitting process, refining the cost estimate prior to bidding, and pursuing combined funding strategies if state grant funding does not materialize.