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Pickleball lighting delayed; swim‑center renovation and Demuth Park work proceed, staff says
Summary
Project manager told commissioners a delayed electrical switch gear is holding up pickleball lighting; options include temporary daytime‑only opening and continued use of temporary courts at College of the Desert. Swim center plans are in planning review and Demuth Park parking opened ahead of schedule with overall project completion targeted for October 2026.
City project staff briefed the Parks and Recreation Commission on capital and maintenance work at the June 22 meeting, flagging a delayed electrical switch gear that has pushed back the pickleball lighting timeline and providing progress updates on several other park projects.
Project manager John Brickley said the pickleball concrete slab and light towers are in place but an electrical switch gear has been ‘‘severely delayed’’; staff are working with contractors on alternatives and said it is possible the complex could open temporarily without lights for limited hours, though staff emphasized safety is the priority. To maintain play while work continues, staff arranged temporary courts with College of the Desert.
Brickley also said swim center renovation site plans have been finalized and submitted to the city planning department for review; construction drawings will follow once planning clears the site plans. The Demuth Park improvement project is under construction, and the AYSO center‑field parking lot reopened June 5 ahead of schedule. The community center paving is slated for July 13–17, and staff said they still expect a target completion date of October 2026 for the overall Demuth package.
Staff reported the Victoria Park restroom project has begun utility identification and potholing and is estimated to take about two to three months, barring unforeseen circumstances. The AIDS Memorial permit was approved and installation is expected late summer or early fall, and the Wyatt mural grant submission for the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center is nearly complete.
Commissioners asked when finalized plans would return to the commission; staff said that if the commission decides to proceed on items such as the amphitheater, they will return for final review and comment before work begins.
