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Council sends Lake June pickleball plan to county for verification, authorizes RFP if changes clear grant rules
Summary
After heated discussion about costs, parking and grant conditions, the council asked staff to obtain written verification from county staff that the proposed design changes would not require a RPAC grant amendment; if verified, staff will publish a competitive RFP for the project.
The Town of Lake Placid moved the Lake June pickleball project forward with a two-step decision: the council directed staff to get written verification from Highlands County staff that proposed design changes (notably replacing paved parking with pervious parking and removing some paved areas) would not require a grant amendment; if county staff confirms no amendment is required, the town will publish a competitive RFP.
Staff said the project has historically committed about $200,000 in town funds and staff estimated roughly $60,000 of match has been used to date. Council members and public commenters disagreed over whether to pause or abandon the project because of cost increases, with concerns about a possible $100,000 additional need and an estimated $7,500 traffic study. Public commenters urged pairing the project back (removing paving) so the project could move forward within available funds, while others argued the town made commitments and backing out would be harmful.
Several public speakers urged the council to pare the project down and noted existing expenditures (one speaker said roughly $65,000 had already been spent and that the traffic study had been paid). A council member noted the motion was intentionally two-step: verify with county staff about RPAC rules, then—if permitted—publish the RFP and evaluate bids before approving specific contract awards or additional borrowing.
During the discussion, one public commenter cautioned that collegiate‑level pickleball scholarships do not yet exist nationally (a point raised to temper expectations about athletic scholarship benefits). The council ultimately approved the verification-and-RFP approach and asked staff to report back with written confirmation from county staff and later with bid numbers to inform a financial decision.
What happens next: Staff will request written verification from county staff on whether proposed design changes need a grant amendment. If county staff provides written confirmation that no amendment is required, the town will publish a competitive RFP to solicit bids and return to council with firm numbers for a final decision.
