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Killingworth awards $103,000 pickleball court contract; residents raise parking and scheduling concerns
Summary
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a $103,000 bid to build pickleball courts on town property after Park & Rec recommended the low bidder; residents and selectmen raised questions about parking capacity and event scheduling around ballfields and library activities.
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to award a $103,000 contract for new pickleball courts to the low bidder, Bizono Brothers of Northford, Connecticut, following a recommendation from the Park & Recreation commission.
Park & Rec staff (Jim) told the board the project went out to bid and the low responsive bid was about $103,000; the commission recommended awarding to the contractor with local references and a track record of municipal work. "The pickleball went out to bid... one was about $103,000," Jim said as he summarized the procurement and vetting process.
Several selectmen and members of the public raised concerns about site selection, parking and whether the courts would be covered or lit. One selectman questioned whether adding courts to the town campus would create weekend congestion when ballfields and other events occur: "If you add cars here on a Saturday morning... that concerns me," the selectman said, noting spillover parking and scheduling conflicts could affect library events and weekend athletic schedules.
Park & Rec members said the chosen location was the best among several considered given town-owned land, available development area and drainage constraints; they noted alternative sites presented equal or greater issues, such as reducing outfield space or incurring higher site-improvement costs. Park & Rec acknowledged possible scheduling coordination and suggested using overflow areas used previously on busy game days.
The board approved the award by voice vote and discussed a likely construction window after the spring baseball season; staff cautioned that road paving on Route 81 this summer could affect timelines and that capital-schedule coordination will be required. The board recorded no split votes; the motion carried unanimously.
Next steps: staff will notify the winning bidder, confirm a construction timeline with Park & Rec and coordinate parking and scheduling logistics with the library and recreation groups.
