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Macon County approves revised recreation designs, awards tennis contract and backs $1.4 million PARTF grant application
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Summary
The Macon County Board of Commissioners on April 8 approved a redesigned schematic for new pickleball courts, awarded a $373,200 contract (plus 10% contingency) to refurbish tennis courts, and authorized staff to submit a $1.4 million PARTF grant application to fund a walking bridge, amphitheater, a covered multi‑court and restrooms.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners on April 8 approved a redesigned plan for the Recreation Park pickleball courts, awarded a contract to refurbish existing tennis courts and authorized staff to apply for a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant to pay for several park amenities.
Kurtiss Durrant presented a revised schematic design for the pickleball courts that was developed in response to board feedback. County Manager Warren Cabe told commissioners the second design could carry additional design costs and recommended returning for formal approval before bidding. Commissioner Shearl moved to approve the redesign and Commissioner Breeden seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Director Seth Adams told the board the county received bids to remove and replace the existing tennis courts so Franklin High School teams could resume practice by August. The board approved Signature Tennis Courts, Inc. for $373,200 with a 10 percent contingency of $37,320, authorizing a total of $410,520. Project Manager Jack Morgan and Planning, Permitting and Development Director Joe Allen were assigned to review permitting and contractor performance.
Adams also presented plans to apply for a PARTF grant for a $1.4 million package that would add a walking bridge linking the parking lot to the new pickleball facility, a new amphitheater, a covered multi‑court and restroom facilities. The grant requires a one‑to‑one match up to $500,000; Adams said Southwestern Commission is assisting with the application and that the county would cover the remaining $400,000 for a stated county contribution of $900,000. Commissioners voted unanimously to submit the application; the grant is due May 1 with awards expected at the end of August.
What this means: the board’s approvals clear the way for construction permitting and bidding, with timelines shaped by school and team schedules. The tennis court work will remove the existing surfaces and rebuild from ground level, and the PARTF application could shift a majority of the project cost to state grant funds if the county’s required match is accepted.
Funding and timeline details provided at the meeting: • Tennis contract: Signature Tennis Courts, Inc., $373,200; contingency $37,320; total authorization $410,520. • PARTF application: project total stated as $1.4 million; match required one‑to‑one up to $500,000; county contribution described at the meeting as $900,000 (as presented by staff). The grant application is due May 1; awards expected end of August.
The board did not set specific construction start dates for the pickleball project but staff indicated the tennis work would begin in May to be ready for August practices.