Wednesday, July 18 was the assigned date for the City of Carroll to open bids on the transformation of tennis courts at Northwest Park to be able to accommodate pickleball as well. Director of Parks and Recreation, Jack Wardell, says there was an unexpected outcome at this meeting.
Wardell says that Ron Speckman, with FEH Design, had detailed some possible reasons why no bids were submitted from the three contractors who took the plans.
He adds that if bids had been received, those factors would have likely resulted in much higher dollar amounts. Wardell did say there are three options for keeping the project moving forward. The first is to put it out for bid again in January or February of next year to allow more time for asphalt bids. The second, to redesign with reinforced concrete to allow local contractors the opportunity to bid. The third option was just brought to the forefront last week.
Wardell says the second option is the least viable and that cost estimates for the post-tension concrete over the top of the existing surface will likely be the best. If they work to get more information on the post-tension process, they will still have the time to get the project out to bid if it doesn’t pan out. Craig Erickson, a landscape architect with Shive Hattery, also provided some insight into the three options.
Post tension is a process in which cables and sleeves are in place when the concrete is poured. The cables are tightened when the concrete is at a certain curative state. This compression makes the concrete very strong and, when the concrete cracks, the cracks remain small and the pieces won’t separate or have one portion heave. There are trade-offs however, as Wardell points out that for tennis and for pickleball, asphalt is the preferred surface for the athletes. But for economic reasons, the longevity of the surface may make the post-tension option more sensible. The Carroll City Council will be receiving more information on this process as details become available.
