Clarkston moves forward on pickleball courts; Pony Express Days plans continue

Council members confirmed receipt of $30,000 in grant money from GRAMA tax proceeds toward construction of four pickleball courts and one full basketball court at the town park, a sum the mayor said fully funds the project without using town general funds.

The council noted the vendor (identified in discussion by staff as Renner or Rainer) will supply lighting and equipment but will not perform electrical installation; staff have been asked to obtain local electricians to perform wiring and installation. Mayor Heydall asked staff to press the vendor to meet an earlier timeline (initially quoted as possible by June) so work could be completed before Pony Express Days; staff reported the company later said it might not begin until September, and the mayor instructed staff to push back to the June timeline.

Council members also noted the youth council had raised about $4,000 toward the project and that the town will purchase new basketball hoops. The planned site layout discussed includes four pickleball courts and one full basketball court; council also said the vendor will provide lighting equipment but the town must schedule electricians to install.

Separately, council members reviewed Pony Express Days plans including parade lineup, lunch service after the parade, a car show, bounce houses and a pie-eating contest. Council members discussed placement of horses in the parade (to the rear for cleanup reasons) and the need to coordinate law enforcement and cleanup crews; a council member said the event will proceed with the usual midday schedule and that the next meeting will be delayed to July 1 because of the holiday event.