Macon County approves Veterans Park pickleball schematic, awards tennis court contract and backs state grant application

The Macon County Board of Commissioners on April 8 approved a schematic design for a racket complex at Veterans Memorial Park focused on eight lit pickleball courts, gathering and shaded social areas, and a smaller restroom/maintenance building. The board also authorized a contract to fully replace six existing tennis courts and supported applying for a state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund matching grant that would require the county to pledge local matching funds if awarded.

County Parks and Recreation Director Seth Adams presented the racket complex schematic, saying the design moves beyond courts to provide social gathering areas, artificial-turf gathering zones and multiple shade opportunities. "It's also a social gathering time," Adams said, describing precedent images and details included in the schematic.

Commissioners discussed site grades, restroom size and flood-plain requirements. Adams said the restroom building will need floodproofing measures because the site remains in a floodplain. Project consultant Curtis Grant told the board the schematic is a step above concept and that construction documents would follow if the board approved the plan.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the schematic and the direction to proceed to the next design phase, with commissioners noting additional design fees would be required and come back for approval.

Tennis courts: contract award and contingency

Seth Adams and staff recommended rebuilding six tennis courts in their current location, resurfacing from the base up and installing new LED lighting on existing poles. The board considered informal bids that ranged from about $373,370 up to $573,114, and approved a motion to contract with "Manager In A Sports Incorporated" in the amount of $373,200 plus a 10% contingency to cover unexpected issues, with county staff to serve as general contractor oversight. The motion passed 5-0.

Adams said the low bid represents a full removal and replacement from the ground up on a 4-inch stone base and that core drilling would be performed to verify subsurface conditions. He told commissioners that if crews encounter unknown subsurface conditions additional cost could be required, which the contingency is intended to cover.

State grant application (PARTF) and county match

Adams also asked the board to approve submission of an application to the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for a package of park improvements tied to the master plan. The proposed grant application would seek the maximum PARTF award (up to $500,000) and would pair that with a county match to cover an estimated $1.4 million project that includes a pedestrian bridge connecting parking at Biddy Field to the new pickleball facility, an amphitheater, a covered multiuse court (two covered basketball courts), and restroom/locker-room facilities.

Adams told the board PARTF requires an explicit commitment from the local governing body to match awarded funds and to complete the project within the grant timeline. The board voted 5-0 to authorize the application; commissioners and staff said the county would return to the board for formal acceptance and budget amendments only if the grant is awarded.

Why it matters

Commissioners said the combined set of decisions advances work under the county's parks and recreation master plan and aims to make Veterans Memorial Park a multiuse community hub. Several commissioners emphasized the projects are multi-year efforts that will require subsequent contract approvals and budget actions.

What's next

Staff will return with cost estimates for additional design services for the racket complex, finalize bid documents, and begin contract administration for the tennis work with construction targeted to begin in May so as to complete courts before the upcoming school seasons. The PARTF application is due next month; awards would be announced later in the year.