Council approved a construction bid with North Rock Construction for $3.66 million March 21. Southlake previously received seven bids for construction, which all exceeded the project’s budget, and council denied the bids in November.
A site plan for the complex was approved in June. Pickleball was ranked as the primary priority for a new park amenity in a survey gathered in the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan.
“It’s an amenity our citizens want and are excited about,” Council Member Amy Torres-Lepp said. “I think it’s a great amenity, and I’m definitely in favor of moving forward on it.”
Southlake Director of Community Services Chris Tribble said the pickleball complex started out as six lighted courts with fencing, one shade structure and landscape with an approved budget of $1.25 million. As the complex went through its initial design phase, he said desired enhancements increased the scope of the project to nine courts, a pavilion, a staff office, shade structures and trail connectivity to the complex.
The total project budget was set at $3.85 million in Southlake’s fiscal year 2023-24 capital improvement program budget. Additional funding of $685,735 is required as the amended project budget is $4.5 million, Tribble said.
The project budget of $4.5 million includes the $3.66 million for construction, $310,000 for design services, $316,000 for contingency costs and about $240,000 for information technology, security and utility costs, according to city documents.
“It feels like we’re getting a lot of value for that increased budget,” Mayor John Huffman said. “If we’re going to ask taxpayers to spend [$4.5 million] on a pickleball complex ... I want to feel like it’s a first-class facility. I don’t want to cut corners.”
Tribble said revisions were made to keep the project budget low as construction costs are expected to escalate 1.5% per month. This included changing the shade structures from metal to tension fabric, revising landscape amenities and changing materials used in the complex’s restrooms.
“The more we delay, the more it’s going to cost,” Council Member Kathy Talley said.
With council accepting the bid for construction, Tribble said the complex could have its grand opening in October.
