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Council OKs preliminary design for Hitchcock Park tennis courts amid cost and lighting questions
Summary
The council authorized SPN & Associates to proceed with preliminary and final design and bidding for Hitchcock Park tennis-court reconstruction, including post‑tension construction; councilors and park users pressed staff about lighting, costs and school‑district contributions.
The Mitchell City Council authorized a design contract with SPN & Associates for replacement and upgrade of the Hitchcock Park tennis courts, approving scope that includes eight courts, lighting and fencing improvements and reconstruction of the adjacent parking lot.
Mister Schrader explained the contract would cover design, bidding and construction‑phase services with a not‑to‑exceed fee of $52,700 for the work outlined in the agreement. The design calls for post‑tension concrete construction; staff estimated post‑tension concrete could add about 25–40% to the concrete cost versus conventional concrete.
Council and community members pressed staff on three points: the timing of bids and engineers’ cost estimates, the need to add lights on the four newer courts before a full rebuild (Mitchell Tennis Association members expressed concern about losing play time), and the possibility of a phased approach or shared funding with Mitchell Public Schools. Staff said the current step is design and that the city will present alternatives and a recommendation after SPN produces preliminary layouts and cost options.
The motion to authorize SPN to proceed with the design and bidding phases passed on a council motion; staff said bids are expected later this year and that the council will weigh cost‑sharing options with school and other users before committing to construction.
