City pilots adjustable net system at Ken Mercer Sports Park; staff flags maintenance needs for sand courts

Parks Manager Giacomo DeMonte told the commission the city maintains six sand volleyball courts (constructed approximately 1986–2000) and that some poles are too short to accommodate the men’s competitive net height or show age in pulleys and fittings.

DeMonte described a pilot retrofit at Ken Mercer Sports Park: crews and a fencing contractor welded new adjustable poles onto existing bases and installed a system that allows the net to slide up and down while maintaining tension. He said the retrofit was completed just before Memorial Day at a cost of just over $4,000 (not including the net) and that the system is similar to one the presenter observed at a private Workday court.

DeMonte said other maintenance issues include worn pulleys, tilted poles from net tension and the lack of pulley systems at some parks. He noted potential safety improvements such as pole padding (estimated roughly $125–$250 each plus shipping) and said a full court refurbishment would require CIP prioritization because larger projects compete with needs such as playgrounds and emergency services equipment.

Commissioners asked about usage, cleaning and whether golf‑course bunker equipment could help clean sand courts; staff said there is no specialized sand‑cleaning machinery in current use and that usage audits would be needed to estimate demand. DeMonte said community players have expressed enthusiasm and may assist with fundraising or volunteer support, but staff will monitor the pilot for wear and tampering before recommending broader installation.

No formal action was taken; the commission received the report and asked staff to monitor pilot results and return with recommendations if broader retrofits are proposed.