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Commissioners approve $1.72 million contract to add four courts at Casaover Tennis Center
Summary
The board awarded a $1,722,168 contract to MultiSports LLC to add four courts, lighting, fencing and walkways at Casaover Tennis Center; the project will be paid from previously issued bond proceeds and related interest.
Shawnee County commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to award a $1,722,168 construction contract to MultiSports LLC to add four new tennis courts, LED lighting, fencing, walkways and related improvements at the Casaover Tennis Center.
Parks and Recreation management specialist Derek Scribe told the board the project also includes repairing and resurfacing all 18 existing courts. The department presented three competitive bids and recommended MultiSports based on experience, references, equipment familiarity and the shortest project timeline.
Funding and context
Jennifer Sauer, the county's financial administrator, said the project will be paid with proceeds and interest from a revenue bond issue the board previously approved. The commission issued $20 million in revenue bonds in 2023, of which roughly $10 million was designated for Parks and Recreation; Sauer said approximately $1.5 million from the parks bond pool remains unassigned (amount subject to final arbitrage calculations). Sauer and staff said the court lighting upgrade is expected to reduce operating costs because LED fixtures will replace older lighting.
Local support
Representatives of the local tennis community told commissioners the expansion will let Casaover host larger regional and national tournaments and increase usage by clubs and high schools. "By the approval of these courts are going to allow us to bring in players from all over the nation," said Greg Lutz, representing the Topeka tennis community. Mark Nordstrom, past president of the local tennis association, thanked the board for its continued support.
Vote and next steps
The board voted 3-0 to award the bid and direct Parks and Recreation to finalize contract documents. Parks staff said the lighting and resurfacing work will also aim to reduce long-term operating costs and that the Musco-lighting purchase/installation may come back to the board in a separate agenda item.
Ending
Parks staff said the project will expand tournament capability and is intended to increase regional sports tourism and use by local residents and schools.
