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Resident says fundraising is on track for Iman Park pickleball resurfacing; council clears contracting path
Summary
Beth Gerber told the City Council she and community partners have raised more than $28,000 toward resurfacing the pickleball courts at Iman Park and asked for confirmation of an $8,000 city allocation; city staff said the contract is below the formal bid threshold and may be executed through the city manager.
Beth Gerber, a Washington Court House resident, told the City Council on Jan. 28 that community fundraising for resurfacing the pickleball courts at Iman Park is on track and asked council to confirm the city’s previously promised contribution.
“Our present total of what’s actually in the fund right now, the last time I saw it was $28,265,” Gerber said, adding that pledged donations from Orthopedic 1 and United Savings Bank bring the pledged total to $33,265 and that, with the city’s $8,000 and a Fayette Travel & Tourism Bureau grant, the total would reach about $46,265.
Gerber said Total Tennis of Columbus has placed the project on its May schedule and that the group is aiming for a June 1 grand opening. She described sponsorship tiers and a plan to use an annual maintenance fee (a $300 yearly re‑hang fee noted in the sponsorship letter) to sustain windbreak/banner upkeep. Gerber also asked the city to partner on lighting and security, noting that cameras and timers would reduce vandalism and allow evening play without unduly bothering nearby residents.
Council members discussed procurement and next steps. The city manager said the proposed resurfacing contract is below the formal bid threshold and therefore does not require three competitive bids: “It’s below the bid amount, so no. You don’t have to do that,” he said, and indicated the city could proceed with contracting. Council agreed staff should prepare a short resolution authorizing the city manager to finalize a contract with Total Tennis and bring that item back to council for formal authorization.
Gerber described a multi‑phase approach: complete resurfacing first, then pursue lighting, security cameras and longer‑term maintenance plans (a vendor estimate cited an expected surface life of roughly five to seven years under normal conditions). She said sponsors included local service clubs and businesses and that the group is working to keep more spending in Fayette County where possible.
The council did not vote on funding at the Jan. 28 meeting; Gerber said she would provide additional documentation to staff and council and expected staff to prepare contracting language for the next council packet.
