Board approves contract and funding plan for Stewart’s Draft pickleball courts

The board approved moving forward with construction of four pickleball courts at Stewart’s Draft Park and the related funding plan after staff presented bid results and a proposed allocation of local funds.

Staff said the low bid from GNH Contracting was $434,470, which includes a 15% contingency. Funding proposed combined a $40,000 commitment from a local club, roughly $68,000 from the county’s forest sustainability funds (an allowable use for parks and recreation), up to $200,000 from the Parks & Rec capital account, and $126,470 pledged by a board member (to be covered from infrastructure funds). The funding plan was presented as a package so that the contract could be awarded and the funding sources designated.

Several supervisors raised questions about the burden on Parks & Rec capital and whether donor contributions should be counted when reporting taxpayer share of the project. One supervisor asked that donated contributions be tallied separately so the public can see the net taxpayer obligation; staff clarified the contract would be awarded for the full amount and the funding allocation (including donations) is a separate decision.

A motion to proceed with the contract award and the funding breakdown was offered and seconded; the board voted to approve moving forward with construction as presented.