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Commissioners approve nearly $3.9M pickleball complex, including lights and contingencies
Summary
After multi‑year planning, the board approved split contracts for site work ($1,301,000) and courts ($2,313,548.15) plus lighting and a 10% contingency, moving budget amendments from fund balance to fund the project.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with construction of a dedicated pickleball complex after staff recommended separating the work into a site contract and a specialized court contract.
Planning and recreation staff presented two low bids: $1,301,000 for the site package (grading, restroom facility and paving) and $2,313,548.15 for the court package (courts, fencing, lighting infrastructure), with an option to add full‑lighting coverage estimated at roughly $169,747. Staff said the contracts were sourced through standard competitive and cooperative procurement channels.
Commissioners debated the scope — particularly the cost to light all courts — before approving a motion that included lighting for all courts, a 10% contingency on the base site bid and budget amendments moving funds from fund balance to cover the project. Commissioner Sherrill (S6) moved the motion, which passed by voice vote 5–0.
Project schedule: staff told the board the site contractor (Buchanan Sons Inc., low site bidder) could mobilize two to three weeks after contract signing; staff recommended starting after the July 4 holiday to preserve event parking.
Supporters framed the project as a long‑term community investment with potential revenue and youth‑sport benefits. "If it's done right, it'll be a revenue stream," one recreation official said. Opponents and some commissioners urged negotiation on lighting costs and caution about the total price tag; the board asked staff to pursue reasonable price improvements where possible but ultimately approved the contract package to move the multi‑year project forward.
Next steps: county staff will finalize contracts, execute budget amendments moving funds from fund balance, and coordinate mobilization with the winning bidders.
