Pinetop Lakeside approves Pickleball Club agreement to install four air-conditioning units in town gym

The Pinetop Lakeside Town Council on May 7 approved an improvements agreement that will allow the Pinetop Lakeside Pickleball Club to install four mini-split air-conditioning units in the town gymnasium.

Town staff member Christie explained the agreement requires the club to secure a 100% performance and payment bond and to maintain insurance that names the town as an additional insured. Christie also clarified that while the club will install the equipment, the town will not pay the electricity to operate the units: "I did put in here that there was no additional cost to the town. That is incorrect. We are not asking for them to pay for the electricity to run the mini split units."

Mark Diltz, president of the Pickleball Club, told the council the facility is heavily used in summer and the additional cooling will expand usable hours: "We have over 500 players come through there in the summer." Councilor Heisler, who is a club member, said she had seen the club's care and procedures firsthand and supported the agreement.

The agreement was moved, seconded and approved by the council with the conditions Christie described. The town attorney reviewed the draft agreement and staff confirmed the club had secured the required performance and payment bond and was working to finalize insurance details.

Councilors said the upgrades would benefit other recreational users of the gym and asked staff to monitor energy use and ensure the systems are turned off when the gym is not in use. The motion carried unanimously.