Council accepts $75,000 donation for Rotary Park pickleball shade, approves budget amendment

Bullhead City Council voted unanimously to accept a $75,000 donation from the Bullhead City Pickleball Club and to transfer those funds from the grant fund to the Parks Capital Projects Fund for construction of shade structures, concrete pads and bleachers at the Rotary Park pickleball courts.

Pickleball Club representative Laura Murphy told the council the group had been fundraising for three years and had secured grants and donations, including a Legacy Foundation grant that contributed roughly $50,000 of the total. Murphy said the club will donate the completed improvements to the city, which will own and maintain the improvements. Recreation and public‑works staff said the club had worked closely with them on slope, drainage and design constraints and that the city will administer construction rather than the club acting as the contractor.

Staff additionally told the council that bid documents are being prepared for the previously discussed indoor pickleball courts at the optimum (recreation) center and will be advertised once the city attorney completes the documents.

Why it matters: Pickleball court improvements address a rapidly growing local recreational demand and support tournament play, daily use and special events. The donation plus grant funding allows the city to complete the outdoor shade and seating improvements without a large one‑time appropriation from the city budget.

Council action: The motion to transfer and expend up to $75,000 for the work passed 7–0. Staff will manage the procurement and construction and accept the completed project from the club once built.

Ending: Club members present at the meeting handed a check to city staff for processing; staff said project administration will move forward and the city will maintain the completed improvements.