Mona Council OKs up to $100,000 from impact fees for pickleball courts, awards $79,750 contract

Mona City Council voted to authorize use of up to $100,000 from the city’s impact-fee fund for construction of new pickleball courts and selected Sports Court of Southern Utah’s tile-based proposal, a contract of $79,750, during its December meeting.

The decision comes after staff collected four written estimates. Council members reviewed options including a post-tension concrete slab with an acrylic surface and a modular sport-tile surface. After a presentation from Sports Court representatives, the council voted to accept the tile proposal and to authorize the $100,000 impact-fee cap to cover the project and potential contingencies. Voice votes were recorded as unanimous 'Aye.'

The council had also approved filing an application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for park improvements. Staff explained that acceptance of LWCF funds typically carries a requirement that the property remain in park use and that the land is deeded to the state for conservation purposes; staff stated this would protect the courts’ recreational use if the grant is awarded. A public commenter asked whether the state could later require removal of pickleball courts; a staff member responded that LWCF restrictions protect the land for park use and would not allow conversion to unrelated uses.

During the vendor presentation, Justin White and Clint Waters of Sports Court described the differences between tile and acrylic surfaces: modular tiles carry a 15-year limited warranty and a life expectancy they estimated at 25–30 years; the company highlighted improved frost/wet traction on newer tiles and said tiles reduce shock and fall injuries compared with concrete. Waters said the tile option reduces long-term resurfacing costs and can be installed faster than some post-tension concrete options. “You get a product that’s that has a 15 year warranty,” the representative said while explaining durability and maintenance expectations.

The vendor also outlined optional lighting and fencing configurations, recommending a 6-foot divider fence between adjacent courts and describing conduit runs to allow future light installation without major additional concrete work. Representatives estimated site prep and concrete work would take about a week, and surface installation and fencing another 3–5 days — roughly two to three weeks from start to finish, weather permitting. The vendor said earlier seasons’ bids were prepared in spring; council raised a contingency to $100,000 to cover potential material-cost increases or added features such as lights.

Council discussed neighborhood impacts and lighting controls; vendors proposed timers to limit nighttime use. Staff and council members agreed to coordinate site prep, base compaction and any volunteer involvement so the contractor receives a compacted subbase per specifications. Council directed that the three written bids be on file; a motion to accept Sports Court of Southern Utah’s tile bid ($79,750) passed and a separate motion to authorize use of up to $100,000 from impact fees also passed by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contract with Sports Court of Southern Utah, coordinate site prep and permitting, and work with the vendor on a spring construction timeline. Council also approved submitting the LWCF grant application; staff warned work done before grant award is typically ineligible for reimbursement, so the city will coordinate timing if both grant funding and the contract proceed.

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