Needham updates: tennis courts open; DeFazio fencing bid comes in well under appropriation

Town parks staff told the Community Preservation Committee the newly rebuilt tennis courts are complete and in use, while the DeFazio fencing project received competitive bids well under the original appropriation.

Stacy Mulroy shared photos of the tennis-court project and said the high school is already using the courts; she said a spring ribbon-cutting is planned once minor signage on the punch list is finalized. "We're looking forward to doing a big sort of grand opening ribbon cutting in the spring," she said.

Edward Olson, Superintendent of Parks & Forestry, summarized the DeFazio fencing procurement. The CPC had appropriated $417,000 for fencing. Premier Fence submitted the low bid at $240,000 with other bids up to about $370,000. "Low bid came in at $240,000," Olson said, adding that interest in the bid generated multiple competitive offers and that any money not spent will be returned to the CPC fund for future projects.

Olson and staff emphasized the fence work improves safety and appearance at the DeFazio athletic hub, which hosts many youth sports and events. Committee members discussed coordinating CPC signage at the tennis courts and the DeFazio site so donors and residents see consistent identification.

Speakers quoted in this article are those who presented project updates at the meeting.