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Isanti council approves phase 1 of skate park, delays final decision on pickleball courts
Summary
The Isanti City Council voted 4–0 to approve a not‑to‑exceed $71,228 contract for phase 1 of the skate park after months of discussion; action on six proposed pickleball courts (estimate not to exceed $200,000) was deferred pending additional bids and grant exploration.
The Isanti City Council approved phase 1 of a long‑planned skate park on a unanimous 4–0 vote, while agreeing to delay action on a separate proposal to install six pickleball courts so staff can gather more quotes and explore grant options.
Staff told the council the Park Board recommended moving forward with both projects, with preliminary estimates that the six pickleball courts would be “not to exceed $200,000” and the skate park phase 1 would be “not to exceed $72,000.” Staff later supplied a vendor quote that totaled $71,228 for the skate‑park work.
Council and the public debated location, surfacing and fencing costs for the pickleball courts. Council members and a public park advocate said grants and local matches could reduce the city’s share; Mayor Luke Mayer and multiple council members urged seeking additional bids before committing Park Dedication funds. Council staff reported the Park Dedication fund balance was about $400,000.
Members of the Cambridge Area Pickleball Association offered community support. Mike Mueller, the association president, told the council his group approved a donation of up to $5,000 to help with benches and windscreens: “We’re more than willing to try and help out where we can.”
After discussion, the council moved to split the package: it approved the skate‑park phase 1 as presented and directed staff to return with further information on pickleball costs and grant opportunities. The motion to approve phase 1 passed 4–0.
The approved phase 1 includes vendor items and site work quoted at $71,228 (line items read by staff during the meeting). Council members said they preferred to complete smaller, time‑sensitive items for skaters this winter and to pursue cost reductions for pickleball courts through grants, donated labor or additional vendor quotes.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract with the listed vendor and return to council with additional bids and grant options for the pickleball proposal.
