Town Council Approves Alternate Pickleball Bid
New pickleball courts are coming to the Indian River Recreational Complex (IRRC). The Town Council approved a bid for the construction of the new courts at its April 17 meeting. The bid, however, carries an increased cost over original projections.
In January, the Town began soliciting bids for constructing three new pickleball courts at the IRRC. In an April letter to the Town Council, Park and Recreations Commission (PRC) Chairman Joe Schettino recommended the Town select Hinding Tennis, LLC for the work.
Schettino further recommended that the Town accept an alternate bid for the courts to be built with more durable concrete. The project would cost $266,914.44, which is $57,819.44 more than the $209,122 in American Recue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that voters approved for pickleball courts last year.
Town Council Chairperson Carrie Allen said the money to cover the increased cost will also come from the ARPA money allocated to the town.
In a letter to the council, Schettino said that while the bid was more money than originally allocated, the new material would last longer and require less maintenance over time.
“We feel it is in the best long-term interest of the Town to construct the pickleball courts with more desirable and durable material. It is, upfront, more expensive, but in the long run should save the town money in maintenance and replacement costs,” Schettino wrote in part.