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Committee approves cooperative purchasing agreement for sports surfacing; parks staff recommend post-tension concrete
Summary
The Arts, Parks, Libraries & Entertainment Committee approved acceptance of a cooperative purchasing master agreement that allows Metro Parks to use post-tension concrete surfacing for tennis and pickleball courts, a move staff said will reduce long-term repair costs at sites with unsuitable soils.
The Arts, Parks, Libraries & Entertainment Committee voted May 6 to accept the terms of a cooperative purchasing master agreement for sports surfacing solutions for the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Parks staff told the committee the cooperative contract will allow the department to install post-tension concrete surfaces for tennis and pickleball courts, an option they said is more durable than asphalt in locations with unsuitable soils. "This agreement will allow us the specific thing we're going for in the area to allow us to post tension concrete course for tennis and pickleball," a Metro Parks staff member said during the meeting.
Why it matters: parks staff said post-tension concrete avoids the need for an expensive rock subbase at sites with unstable soils and will extend the life of courts. The staff member explained that replacing the existing courts on unsuitable soils with asphalt would require a deep rock layer costing about $500,000, while the post-tension concrete surface — though "probably a third more expensive than asphalt" for the surface itself — would still save an estimated $300,000–$350,000 overall because it avoids the rock subbase and yields a longer service life.
Discussion and technical context A Metro Parks staff member described the surfacing types and noted the system can be used on other sports surfaces, including artificial turf, if funding becomes available. The staff member noted past failures of modular plastic surfaces (described in committee discussion as "little plastic things") after a fireworks event and said the department prefers longer-lasting surfaces. Council members asked about the vendor; staff said the procurement uses a nationwide Sourcewell cooperative contract and identified Tarkett as a company that will be available under the agreement as it begins work in Nashville.
Formal action and outcome The committee took up Resolution RS20205-1194 (listed on the agenda as "RS 20 20 5 dash 11 9 4" in the meeting record) to accept a cooperative purchasing master agreement for sports surfacing. A motion was made and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote, members said "aye," and the chair announced the motion approved with no oppositions or abstentions reported.
Next steps The cooperative agreement authorizes the department to use the Sourcewell contract vehicle and engage vendors identified under that contract for surfacing projects when project funding is available. Staff said there is currently no dedicated funding in place for artificial turf or other major field conversions, but the contract would allow faster procurement when funds are identified.
Committee announcements The chair reminded attendees of department budget hearings and upcoming presentations from the Arts Commission; a council member also promoted a community pool event at JC Napier Community Center.
