Indian Trail council approves $750,000 contract for Crooked Creek pickleball courts after strong public support

The Indian Trail Town Council unanimously approved a $750,000 contract for construction of eight pickleball courts at Crooked Creek Park and approved related budget amendments to cover additional site costs.

Residents urged the council to build dedicated courts during public comment, arguing the sport draws mixed-age participation and supports local business. “Pickleball is a fun low-impact sport…It’s the fastest growing sport and there’s a shortage of courts,” said Jessica Lounsbury of 4109 Kinder Oak Drive, calling on the council to “invest, build these pickleball courts.” Charles Spaulding, another resident, told the council, “We need courts. We just need courts to play on.”

Council discussion focused on construction cost increases and scope. Staff had previously estimated a $478,000 total cost; design-build negotiations and additional site work raised the estimate. Staff presented three options: (1) courts without lights and shelter; (2) courts with LED fence-mounted lighting and shelter funded partly from contingency; or (3) postpone and rebid. The council voted for option 2, which keeps lighting and the shelter in the plan and draws on existing budget contingency to cover a revised town contribution.

Parks staff described the proposed facility as eight courts with fencing, an acrylic playing surface over asphalt, a concrete shelter, and a concrete path from the parking lot. Staff said the LED “strip” lighting—mounted on the fence rather than on tall poles—was chosen to reduce cost and to allow evening play once the park closes at 10 p.m.

Council members and staff discussed operation and fees. Parks staff said courts would be available both first-come/first-served and by reservation and gave a typical fee range seen in neighboring municipalities of roughly $5–$14 per hour, with $5–$10 cited as typical. Staff said courts would not be staffed nightly; reservations and signage would govern court times.

Three separate motions passed by unanimous vote: (1) approve the design-build contract to JD Goodrum General Contractors for the pickleball courts; (2) appropriate $250,000 from contingency and transfer funds to the facilities capital account; and (3) approve accompanying budget amendments for the project. Council directed staff to proceed with final negotiations and construction scheduling.

Council members and staff noted rising construction costs and schedule risks, including time required for surface curing. Several council members said they preferred completing the project now rather than delay. The project will proceed to final contract execution and permitting; staff said schedule and final costs could require future adjustments and that the shelter could be deferred if soils or other conditions increase costs.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve contract to JD Goodrum General Contractors in the amount of $750,000 for pickleball courts at Crooked Creek Park — approved, unanimous. - Motion to appropriate $250,000 from contingency to the facilities capital project for the courts — approved, unanimous. - Motion to approve budget amendments as presented — approved, unanimous.

Background: The council previously approved a $250,000 park grant and a $228,000 town match for an estimated $478,000 project. Negotiations and additional site work increased the town share; staff identified contingency and operational savings to cover the difference. The courts will be installed in a wooded area between the ADA playground and the maintenance building at Crooked Creek Park.