City to rebid downtown pickleball complex after bids exceed approved budget; temporary courts planned at College of the Desert

Staff told the Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission on May 19 that bids for the planned downtown pickleball complex came in higher than the city’s approved budget and that the city will rebid the project.

City staff reported the project went out to bidders and drew 10 responses. Two low bidders were removed from consideration for missing required documents, and the next-lowest responsive bid exceeded the project budget. Staff said value-engineering items — for example security cameras, seating and shade structures — could reduce cost but likely not enough to bring the project within the approved $6,100,000 authorization. As a result, staff recommended rejecting the bids and rebidding the project.

Why it matters: the planned complex is a major capital project and community priority; rebidding will delay construction and extend the timeframe before the…