Vermillion council approves Mammoth contract for Cotton Park pickleball and tennis complex

The Vermillion City Council approved a design‑build contract with Mammoth Built Construction on Feb. 3 to build a 6‑pickleball, 2‑tennis court racket complex at Cotton Park, following staff presentations, a months‑long public outreach process and extensive public comment about noise and site selection.

City staff described the project history and funding during the meeting. Jim, a Parks and Recreation staff member, said construction of a new Vermillion Elementary School required removal of the park’s prior courts in 2023, and staff put funds in the capital improvement plan to replace those courts. He told the council Mammoth’s contract price for design, site engineering, construction and construction administration is $1,175,000 and that Mammoth proposed a construction timeline of about 120 days once weather allows.

The memo and spoken presentation summarized prior steps: public meetings in July and September 2024, soil borings and a geotechnical report that identified required mitigation, and a revised cost estimate for a 2‑tennis/6‑pickleball layout. Jim said one mitigation option was about $146,000 less than alternatives and that, after the soil investigation, Mammoth’s package produced the $1,175,000 contract price. Staff told council the project budget currently has about $974,000 available from grants, reallocated second‑penny funds, and carryover, leaving an approximate funding gap of $150,600 that would require a 2025 budget amendment if the council approved the contract.

Neighbors and other residents spoke at length during visitors to be heard. Barbara Yelvington, who said she lives at 205 Lewis Street, told the council noise pollution is her primary concern and urged the use of “Gamma” quieter foam pickleballs; “it reduces noise levels by approximately 50%,” she said. Charles Yelverton (identified as nearby resident) also recommended mandatory use of quieter balls and warned of “noise nuisance complaints” after construction. Several other speakers, including Kathy Beard and Tom Cooper, urged caution on site choice and recommended testing quieter balls. Supporters including Greg Merrigan and representatives from the Chamber and Development Company and the Vermillion Community Development Corporation (VCDC) urged the council to proceed; Jim Peterson of the Chamber reported $9,400 raised at a fundraiser toward the courts and said the VCDC board unanimously approved a $50,000 contribution.

Council discussion reviewed the site selection process, the geotechnical work, and options to mitigate noise (vegetative berms, windscreens, limits on lights and hours, and quieter balls). Council members and staff said Mammoth is procured through the Equalis cooperative contract (design‑build) and that the company had committed to seek local subcontractors for portions of the work. Several council members stressed Cotton Park was chosen because the city owns the property and it already functions as an athletic site. Staff noted letters were sent to 18 adjacent households and that no return comments were received in the packeted material.

A motion to approve the construction agreement with Mammoth Built passed by voice vote after a motion from Councillor Helwig and a second from Councillor Toller; the council chair announced “Motion carries.” The motion authorizes entering a design‑build contract at the $1,175,000 contract price. Staff said the council will need to amend the 2025 budget to cover the remaining funding gap if the council wishes to proceed.

The approved contract is a design‑build arrangement provided through the Equalis cooperative; staff said that allows the city to avoid a separate public bid process for the full design‑build package. Mammoth representatives provided two renderings during the presentation; staff noted the rendering shown was conceptual, not final design. Staff also said the project would initially not include lights to limit night play and would look into noise‑mitigation options if complaints arise.

The council’s approval starts the construction procurement under the contract terms. Staff said Mammoth suggested construction would begin this spring when weather permits and take about 120 days to complete. The council did not set a requirement for mandatory quieter balls or other specific mitigation measures as part of the contract approval; those operational or rules‑of‑use decisions were discussed as matters for parks administration going forward.

Supporters framed the complex as a community amenity that could host leagues and tournaments and provide low‑cost recreation; opponents stressed loss of natural green space and that noise mitigation must be required and enforceable. The council’s motion authorized the contract but left some mitigation and operational details to staff implementation and any required future budget amendment.