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Council advances $1M Kelly Courts project to restore four courts, address safety and access
Summary
The Hermosa Beach City Council voted 5‑0 to advance CIP 6‑19, a project to resurface and reconfigure the Kelly Courts complex so that four pickleball courts can be restored, correct non‑standard dimensions, improve fencing, lighting and ADA access, and reopen temporarily closed courts.
The Hermosa Beach City Council on April 22 approved staff’s recommendation to advance CIP 6‑19, a Kelly Courts improvement project that aims to repair surfaces, correct dimensional nonconformities, replace fencing, improve lighting and add required ADA access so the complex can support four playable pickleball courts and accompanying tennis and basketball facilities.
The council vote was 5‑0 to proceed with the project as proposed and prepare a new contract award should bids be within budget. City staff said the project budget contains a little over $1 million; bid results earlier in 2025 had produced a low bid in the roughly $800,000 range that would have fit the existing appropriation with contingency. Staff warned that delaying rebidding could raise prices.
Why it matters: The project responds to two issues that have kept two of the Kelly complex’s pickleball courts closed: (1) court layouts and dimensions that do not meet current standards and create safety and trip risks, and (2) failing surfacing, fencing and lighting. Restoring the two closed courts will ease high reservation pressure on the two existing playable courts; staff reported roughly 270 registered pickleball members and said walk‑on access is rare because the courts are nearly always reserved.
What the project does: Public Works Director Joe San Clemente and Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols said the work will (a) push and expand a concrete slab toward the basketball court to obtain required length for pickleball courts; (b) move a westerly retaining wall to obtain tennis‑court width; (c) replace fencing and windscreen; (d) upgrade lighting and replace court equipment; (e) add an accessible path and restripe ADA parking; and (f) resurface and repaint courts to correct cracks and trip hazards.
Public input: The project was reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Public Works Commission; both commissions recommended advancing the project and suggested reengaging a stakeholder group to revisit court‑use policy once the facility supports four courts.
Speakers for and against: Residents and pickleball players testified in support of advancing the project, citing access problems and the sport’s community value. Opponents and some nearby residents raised concerns about noise, the adequacy of neighborhood notice for earlier commission meetings, and asked that commissioners and staff fully consider “alternate uses” prior to rebidding. Staff said signage and direct notices had been sent to membership lists and that the council had previously received multiple CIP updates on the project.
Cost and schedule: Staff said the project currently shows a little more than $1 million in the CIP. Earlier bids would have placed construction near $800,000; staff said the largest costs relate to wall relocation, fencing and lighting upgrades. If council directed rebidding under the current design, construction could begin as soon as the fall (staff estimated October) subject to bid results and coordination with Clark Building reopening, farmers market, Little League and park events.
Council action and next steps: Council approved staff’s recommendation and directed staff to proceed with the project procurement and continued community engagement on court‑use policies. Staff will return with contract award recommendations if bids meet budget and scope constraints.
