Loomis council approves $50,000 toward Del Oro tennis court resurfacing after public push

The Loomis Town Council voted 3-2 to contribute $50,000 toward resurfacing the six public tennis courts at Del Oro High School, a joint-use facility used by the school and the public.

Supporters told the council the courts have reached the typical 4–7 year resurfacing window and are showing cracks that will become more costly if not repaired. Paul Frank, speaking for the community tennis group, said the town share had been budgeted from the town’s unassigned general fund reserves and called the contribution “fiscally responsible.” Jen Isaac, a Loomis resident and long-time program leader, told the council the courts serve hundreds of residents, enable Del Oro to host league tournaments and bring visitors who spend at local businesses.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment and a presentation from the Del Oro group and Placer Union High School District staff. Peter F., assistant superintendent of administrative services for the Placer Union High School District, told the council the district plans to recommend awarding a contract at its next board meeting and that the district would cover the remainder of the project cost if the town contributes. Estimated contractor bids collected by the district ranged from about $92,000 to $122,000; the district’s recommended contractor price was reported at about $99,000 plus a 10% contingency.

Opponents and some council members urged a smaller town contribution. One council member said the town has many competing needs—especially road repairs—and suggested a lower contribution of $20,000–$30,000. Several residents who coach, play and volunteer at the courts urged the council to approve the full $50,000, saying the courts support youth sports, community events and local spending when tournaments bring families to Loomis.

The council’s motion to approve $50,000 passed 3-2; the motion’s maker and seconder were not recorded in the roll call transcript excerpt. Council members did not provide a breakdown of which members voted yes and no in the version of the minutes provided; the motion result (3–2) and the dollar amount are recorded in the meeting record.

The district official said the district’s board would consider awarding the contract at its August board meeting; the town’s contribution was described in the staff discussion as contingent on the district moving forward. Project timing was discussed with the goal of completing resurfacing before the 2025–26 tennis season and the scheduled SFL league tournament that Del Oro intends to host.

Budget context: during the presentation the town’s general fund (as stated by the presenters) was described as having an approximate $2.3 million surplus, with roughly $1.7 million in dedicated reserves and about $567,000 listed as unassigned. The town’s park development fund balance was cited at roughly $1.1 million; special street/transportation funds and maintenance district balances were also referenced during the presentation.

What happens next: the district will bring the resurfacing contract recommendation to its board; the town’s $50,000 contribution will be applied to the project per the council vote. Council members and town staff said they expect the district to proceed with the recommended contractor unless the district chooses an alternative bid.

Quotations in this article come from meeting presenters and were taken from the public meeting record: “The town's share to the public tennis court resurfacing comes to about $7,000 a year spread over the lifespan of the resurfacing,” Paul Frank said. Jen Isaac said the courts are used by “hundreds of residents” and that resurfacing is needed after seven years.

Community context: the courts are a joint-use facility at Del Oro High School with lighting and parking and have been used for school practices, public drop-in play and tournaments that bring players and families into Loomis. Speakers noted the town does not directly maintain the courts (cleaning, net replacement, landscaping) and that the town’s contribution has historically been one part of joint funding together with fundraising by users and district funds.

Votes and formal action: the council’s motion to provide $50,000 to the Del Oro High School tennis court resurfacing project passed 3–2. The motion did not specify named mover/second in the transcript extract provided; vote tallies were recorded as 3 in favor and 2 opposed.

Provenance: meeting presentation slides and public comments where the tennis courts and bid amounts were discussed were the primary sources used to compile this report. Additional background on district funding and the recommended contractor were given by the district’s assistant superintendent.