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Gilroy council directs staff to pursue six-court plan for Los Animas pickleball complex
Summary
After public comment and months of Parks and Recreation review, the Gilroy City Council on Oct. 6 gave staff direction to design and bid a six-court pickleball facility at Los Animas Park, with asphalt as the base and add-alternates for post-tension concrete and certain amenities.
The Gilroy City Council on Oct. 6 directed staff to proceed with design and bid documents for a six-court pickleball facility at Los Animas Park, asking that the base bid use an asphalt surface with add-alternates for post-tension concrete and several amenity items.
The council’s direction follows staff presentation of three concepts — a four-court “in-budget” design, a six-court concept and a six-court reduced-amenity option — and public comment urging the larger facility. Public Works Director John Dowdy told the council the FY‑26 capital budget includes $862,500 toward the project and that an additional portion of the Recreation Fund’s anticipated $1,250,000 ending balance could be used if the council chose the larger scope.
Council members and commissioners cited demand for courts and concerns about some nearby projects that were cramped or lacked interior fencing and shade. Councilmember Marks said he was “a very strong advocate for the six pickleball courts,” adding “we have to go for all of it at this point.” Public commenters and players from local clubs also urged six courts and encouraged community fundraising for optional amenities.
Staff presented cost comparisons and trade-offs. Dowdy said the post-tension concrete option is the most durable but more expensive; an asphalt (AC) surface would be less costly. He recommended preparing bid documents that allow the bid evaluator to compare the base option and the add-alternates. Council direction coalesced around issuing a bid for a six-court project with AC as the base and add-alternates that include: post-tension slab (concrete) option, covered cabanas/benches, interior court wind screens/fencing, and a lighting plan. Council also asked staff to examine the cost difference for perimeter fencing heights (6-foot vs. 8-foot or higher) and to reduce lighting fixture counts where standards allow to control cost.
Dowdy said, if directed, staff would proceed to design and expected construction to commence in 2026, with advertising for bids anticipated in spring 2026 once plans are completed. Councilmembers and Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Nisha Meares encouraged close attention to preserving other parks funding; Meares said the commission supported six courts but did not want the extra $300,000 to deplete funds needed for other park projects. Several council members and speakers suggested the pickleball community could help fund nonessential amenities.
The council’s action was a direction to staff rather than a final contract award; staff will return with construction drawings, final cost estimates and any requested budget amendments before a construction bid award.
Community members who spoke included longtime players who described high local demand and safety concerns when courts are too close without interior fencing. John Dowdy said restrooms and parking are adjacent to the proposed site and that staff had met multiple times with the Parks and Recreation Commission during design development.
The council’s direction focused on preserving flexibility in the bidding process so the city can select the option that best fits final bids and available funding while aiming to deliver a six‑court facility that meets players’ expectations.
