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Bay City advisory committee pauses on mayor-backed fitness court after cost, location concerns
Summary
Committee members questioned a mayor-driven proposal for a ‘National Fitness Campaign’ court—citing an estimated local price tag of roughly $366,000, uncertainty about funding sources and potential duplication with equipment at Maplewood Park—and asked staff for more information before the city commits.
The Bay City Parks Advisory Committee on Jan. 31 considered a mayor-backed proposal to install a branded "National Fitness Campaign" court in Vets Park near the Trombley House but agreed to pause until staff provides more cost and usage information.
Speaker 3, who introduced the proposal, said early grant conversations suggested a modest grant ("$30,000–$50,000"), but later, more detailed estimates put the city’s share far higher. "We had a second meeting...210,000 was for purchasing, the art on one wall was another 25,000, 100,000 for shade, 55 for foundation, and 30 for assembly," Speaker 3 said, listing line items that sum to about $366,000 for the local portion.
Committee members expressed immediate concern about the size of the local investment. Speaker 2 said the roughly $360,000 contribution "is kind of insane" given other city priorities. Several members said the site proposed near the historic Trombley House could clash with that setting and suggested the city should first evaluate existing equipment at Maplewood Park before adding another installation.
Members also questioned whether the fitness court would be well used year-round in Bay City’s climate and whether the mayor’s preferred vendor package represented the best value. Speaker 3 asked for maintenance and lifecycle information and suggested the City could solicit competitive bids rather than accept a single vendor’s package.
The committee discussed potential programming partners — including the YMCA and the community center — as a way to raise utilization. "We're hoping to kind of get some input from the Y as well," Speaker 2 said, adding that staff planned to reschedule meetings with possible partners and report back by the next committee meeting.
Next steps: staff will gather detailed maintenance estimates, clearer funding sources and alternatives (including bids and possible programming partners) and bring findings back to the advisory committee before the committee makes any formal recommendation or provides a letter of support to the mayor’s office.
