Council backs pursuing Utah Outdoor Recreation grant to add ADA access, two pickleball courts and a paved path

Council members and Parks, Trails and Recreation (PTR) committee members discussed a proposed parks project combining ADA access improvements, a paved pad by the pavilion, a walkway to the parking lot and a fencing-enclosed pickleball facility. The committee presenters asked the council for informal permission to pursue a Utah Outdoor Recreation Community Parks and Recreation (CPR) grant with a March 17 application deadline.

Mike Slater, presenting the site options and cost estimates, said the committee is "leaning towards 2 courts" and described a professional construction recommendation. Slater provided price estimates from vendors including Parkin' Courts: roughly $55,000 for one professionally built, tensioned concrete court and about $110,000 for two courts, including fencing and durable surfacing. He described construction components that would be needed: excavation, road base and concrete, fencing and painting, and recommended contracting with an experienced court-builder rather than attempting a city-built surface.

Sherry, speaking about grant options and matching requirements, said the CPR grant would normally be a 50/50 match in Utah County, but that the Outdoor Recreation office can allow an 80/20 split in some circumstances and that "10% of that 20 can be in kind," so the city could hope for a 10% cash match if that higher participation rate is approved. She also listed eligible project types under the CPR program — parking, bathrooms, court surfaces, fences, walking paths, sprinkler systems and other park infrastructure — and noted the application deadline.

Council members discussed priorities and potential phases. Several council members said they favored prioritizing ADA access and the paved path between the pavilion and parking, then the two-court pickleball facility, and potentially restrooms later. Council members and staff agreed that the project would require coordination with planning commission review, public works (for irrigation and underground utilities), and budgeting for the local match if required. Staff noted some in-kind match options (donated concrete, fencing, volunteer labor) and a Summit Creek contractual option that could provide an advance of $10,000 toward the match.

Presenters and council members confirmed project constraints: the proposal calls for daytime-only play with no lighting; the CPR grant requires project completion within 24 months (extensions possible in special circumstances); and the grant competition is "very competitive." The council gave informal encouragement to proceed with the grant application and staff agreed to gather the documentation and preliminary site information needed for the application and planning commission review.

Ending: Staff and PTR agreed to move forward to collect required documentation, do a rough site plan with public works input and pursue the March 17 CPR grant deadline if administrative checks (matching funds, sewer/water availability, planning review) indicate the city can comply with grant requirements.