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Commission to meet with developer on unsolicited pickleball/tennis complex after committee review
Summary
Committee recommended rejecting an unsolicited proposal for a private development of pickleball and tennis complex tied to SPLOST funds but agreed to meet with the applicant, administrator, finance and legal staff to discuss possible funding or alternatives.
An unsolicited proposal to develop a large pickleball and tennis complex tied to public funding prompted a lengthy discussion in the extraordinary engineering services committee. Staff recommended rejecting the proposal after an evaluation raised concerns about funding sources, maintenance obligations and requests to redirect money earmarked for other projects.
Applicant Dr. Troy Akers told the committee the project could generate tax revenue, attract visitors, and secure federal and national grant support (including USTA and USDA avenues). Staff and the finance director warned that SPLOST-8 allocations and ballot expectations constrain shifting funds already promised for projects such as Newman Tennis Center. Attorney Turner Plunkett reviewed legal constraints around SPLOST allocations and said reallocating funds beyond the voter-itemized uses could be legally risky and would require careful review.
The committee voted to schedule a meeting with the applicant, the administrator, the interim finance director and interim general counsel to explore whether a path forward exists (financing options, grant matches, bonding to protect taxpayers and alternative funding sources) rather than outright killing the proposal at this stage. The committee process would still require an RFP and formal procurement phases if the project proceeds.
