Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Batesville board votes to add eight tennis courts and bathroom to park project
Summary
The Board of Aldermen approved an amendment to a park project to include eight tennis courts and a bathroom facility, directing staff to combine dirt work and courts in the bid package to avoid re-moving fill; board members said the full build could approach $2 million and will be phased with alternate bids.
The Batesville Board of Aldermen on a unanimous vote amended a planned park project to include eight tennis courts and a bathroom facility, and instructed staff to prepare bid documents combining dirt work and courts so a single contractor handles major earthmoving.
City engineer Blake (first referenced as Blake, city engineer) told the board that combining the dirt work with court construction avoids moving material twice and said a full build for eight courts plus a restroom could approach $2 million. "We're about to drop $2 million," Blake said during discussion, urging the board to put a single contractor in charge of the dirt and courts to avoid future contractual disputes.
Board members discussed phasing. Board member Keith asked whether eight courts would support state-level tournaments; he said larger events typically require 12–16 courts. Keith noted, "You got to have 12 to 16 courts to be able to do something like that," and staff said the board can include alternate bids for more courts when the package goes out.
Mayor and staff described the plan as phase one (build eight courts now, add additional courts later if funding allows) and said the bid will include alternates so the board can choose upon bid results. The board approved the motion to amend the project and include tennis-court construction and bathroom facilities in the bid package; the motion carried without recorded opposition.
The board also agreed the old, deteriorated tennis courts will be removed and the site repurposed for soccer fields.
Next steps: staff will finalize specifications, issue the bid package that includes a base bid for the eight courts and alternates for more courts, and return with bid results and cost estimates for final award.
