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Guadalupe Parks and Recreation reports strong winter participation, pursues grants and permanent pickleball court
Summary
Staff reported average Thanksgiving-week attendance of 84 at youth programs, regular Zumba turnout, progress on a $20,000 grant application and plans to use ARPA funds for a permanent court and solar lighting for outdoor recreation areas.
Recreation staff told the Guadalupe City Recreation and Parks Commission on Dec. 3, 2024 that several youth and adult programs showed robust participation and that the department is pursuing multiple grants to support programming and facility improvements.
“We were open from 7:30 to 5:30 PM. We held 84 kids on average daily attendance for that week,” a recreation staff member reported about Thanksgiving-week programming run in conjunction with the school district. The staff member said the district pays for participant slots and that winter-break programming will be offered free to Guadalupe children in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Staff also reported regular adult fitness participation: Zumba averaged 22–23 attendees per session in November, with nightly highs near 26 and lows near 18. “We’ve heard a lot of really positive feedback from people in the community,” staff said.
On facilities, staff said work funded in part by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money would support permanent surfacing and lighting for the courtyard that hosts courts and youth activities. “Initially the talks were to asphalt the whole courtyard because it needs to be asphalted regardless of the court or not,” staff said. “I heard talks just recently today about doing cement instead because the last time it’s longer and the price is pretty similar.” Staff reported plans to stripe two pickleball courts, restore basketball hoops (sandblast/paint) and install taller solar light poles for evening play.
Pickleball has operated in a temporary configuration while staff test taped court lines and equipment. Staff said they plan drop-in sessions beginning in January and will convert to permanent courts if testing and funding proceed.
On grants, staff said the department submitted the last required document for a Veil grant on Nov. 11; that application would total $20,000 if awarded. Staff also said the youth community access grant and an urban green grant remain pending, awaiting state funding release.
Commissioners and staff discussed logistics, including retaining temporary lines versus painting permanent lines on the auditorium floor (the district uses the auditorium twice weekly), and the benefits of concrete over asphalt for long-term maintenance.
Commissioner Joe Harris praised staff work on youth programming: “Cool. Great work,” he said during the reports.
Staff indicated next steps include continued testing for pickleball drop-ins in January, finalizing specifications for a permanent court surface, and following up with the TPA grant partner and state officials on pending grants.
