The pickleball saga that has continued locally for the past year could come to an end in the next month – or not.
The good news for the increasing number of Baldwin County residents who enjoy what has been described as the fastest-growing sport in the country is a request for bids for new courts has finally been issued. County Manager Carlos Tobar confirmed Tuesday morning that the advertisement for proposals was online as of Monday.
“It will get on the Georgia Procurement Agency,” Tobar said. “It will get everyone to email to get the plans and specifications. And, they’ll have a little over a month to get their bids together.”
Tobar said bids for the new courts and possible amenities will be accepted until 2 p.m. Aug. 1, when they will be opened and read by the Board of Commissioners. The commission will consider the proposals and, if all goes to plan, will award a bid at its Aug. 6 meeting. The question remains, what proposal – if any – will be accepted?
During a work session two weeks ago, after considerable discussion the commissioners decided not to accept the specific recommendation of the board’s recreation committee and go with alternatives. Committee members Emily Davis and Kendrick Butts, with input from County Commission Chairman Johnny Westmoreland and several pickleball enthusiasts, submitted a proposal calling for 20 courts and a pavilion.
Debate during the 30-minute meeting focused on the number of courts and availability of restrooms. The final consensus was to request four possible alternatives: 12 courts, 16 courts, 20 courts, or any of those options with a pavilion that includes restrooms. Lighting was another option and Tobar told commissioners at the time that he would receive proposals later that week.
The county manager, however, declined to provide any figures for lighting this past Tuesday, indicating he was waiting for one more proposal. He did note the expense for lighting was another variable.
“The number of lights will depend on the number of courts,” Tobar said.
Tobar would not speculate on what number the bid(s) may come in, and no county commissioner has said publicly how much they would agree to spend. Tobar did say the SPLOST that began April 1 contains $500,000 earmarked for pickleball.
When asked about a timetable, assuming a bid is accepted and awarded Aug. 6, Tobar did not hesitate.
“ASAP. I would hope they would be done this fall.”
The new courts, the exact number unknown, will be built adjacent to the new water park under construction just past the recreation department gym off Highway 22.
The courts currently in use are in the recreation park near the intersection of Highways 212 and 22, on lower ground that attracts water runoff. Those courts, eight of which were converted from four tennis courts, contain several cracks and county commissioners acknowledge their need for reconstruction or replacement.