Tennis and Pickleball Court System Plan

Concept Diagram Feedback - Form Now Closed

Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR) is working on a Court System Plan that will analyze and evaluate the city’s tennis and pickleball courts. The first part of our Court System Plan recommends a goal of adding 22 dedicated pickleball courts and 22 dedicated tennis courts. In addition to this new construction, we will continue to maintain the existing sport courts in our system.

The concept diagrams for the five selected parks show a placeholder for how many courts may be possible at each park. The number of courts built at each site over the coming years will contribute to the goal of 44 additional designated courts.

As we move into the design phase for each site, constraints will potentially limit how many we can build, so we have created a buffer to ensure we reach a total of 44. We have prioritized three of the parks over the next six years in our capital improvement program (CIP) to hopefully reach the target of 44 courts; East Boulder Community Park (2025), Valmont (2028) and Tom Watson (2030).

If we cannot reach the target at these three parks by 2030, then we will look to Stazio and Foothills to enable us to fulfill our target of 44 dedicated courts.

The online feedback form is now closed. The concept diagrams can still be viewed online.

• Large views of Concept Diagrams PDF

Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR) is working on a Court System Plan that will analyze and evaluate the city’s tennis and pickleball courts. The first part of our Court System Plan recommends a goal of adding 22 dedicated pickleball courts and 22 dedicated tennis courts. In addition to this new construction, we will continue to maintain the existing sport courts in our system.

We have identified that future additional courts could be located at East Boulder Community Park, Valmont City Park, Tom Watson Park, Foothills Community Park and Gerald Stazio Fields. A concept diagram has been developed for each of the five sites to show a potential configuration of amenities. Each of the concept diagrams presented shows “up to” the maximum number of courts possible. The number of amenities and exact locations may be adjusted during the design finalization (schematic design).

Review Tennis and Pickleball Court Concept Diagrams

Join us in person on Monday, March 4, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Boulder JCC to learn project updates and review concept diagrams. A recording of this presentation will also be posted on the project webpage.

For those who wish to participate online, please use this form to review the concept diagrams for potential new courts at five of our parks. This feedback form will be open March 4 - 15, 2024.

The concept plans are posted below. Large views of Concept Diagrams are available as a PDF online.

Concept Diagram 1: East Boulder Community Park

Up to 8 tennis and up to 16 pickleball

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Concept Diagram 2: Valmont City Park

Up to 12 tennis and up to 12 pickleball

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Concept Diagram 3: Tom Watson

Up to 8 tennis and up to 8 pickleball

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Concept Diagram 4: Stazio

Up to 6 tennis

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Concept Diagram 5: Foothills

Up to 8 tennis

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You’re invited to give us your feedback and see concept plans for potential courts at our public meeting on Monday, March 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Boulder Jewish Community Center (6007 Oreg Ave. Boulder, CO 80303) or online from March 4-15. The recording of the public meeting presentation and the concept plans will be posted on the project webpage for those who want to participate online.

The first part of our Court System Plan recommends a goal of adding 22 dedicated pickleball courts and 22 dedicated tennis courts. In addition to this new construction, we will continue to maintain the existing sport courts in our system.

The next step in the Plan is to determine where these dedicated courts could be added. Potential courts could be located at East Boulder Community Park, Valmont City Park, Foothills Community Park, Gerald Stazio Fields and Tom Watson Park.

Upcoming engagement details:

Public meeting

• Monday, March 4, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Boulder JCC (6007 Oreg Ave. Boulder, CO 80303)
  
• Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
• Light snacks will be provided
  
• The public meeting presentation will be recorded and posted on the project website

Online

• March 4-15
• View the concept plans and share comments
  
• View the public meeting presentation recording

This project and meeting relate to public racket sport courts in the city of Boulder. This is NOT related to the application by a private developer for a racket sport court facility in the Gunbarrel area.

Plan recommends 44 new courts: News Article

The first part of the Court System Plan recently presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) recommends adding 22 dedicated pickleball courts and 22 dedicated tennis courts by 2039.

The next step in this project is to look at where these dedicated courts could be added. Drawings of potential courts at East Boulder Community Park, Valmont City Park, Foothills Community Park, Gerald Stazio Fields and Tom Watson Park will be shared with the community as part of the next engagement window. Stay tuned for details on the engagement and public meeting in March.

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In addition to adding courts, Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR) will continue to take care of what we have. See the table below for more details.

More on the Court System Plan from this PRAB meeting can be viewed here:

• Full January PRAB packet (Court System memo starts on pg 63)
  
• Recording of the January PRAB meeting (Court System item starts at 1:21)

2024 - 2030 Six-Year CIP for Courts

Note: only 2024 funding is approved by Council, years 2025 to 2030 are projected workplan for BPR

Thank you for your feedback!

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on our current courts and your hopes for the future during the first engagement window for the Tennis and Pickleball Court System Plan project in October 2023. This first round of engagement will help define court needs and a vision for the future of the court system.

We heard concerns about the current condition of many of the courts, the desire for additional, dedicated courts, and much more!

Details of the results will be shared with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) on Monday, November 27. These materials are available online at the following links:

• Engagement Window 1 Summary
• Full November PRAB memo (starts on pg 229)
  
• For more details on the November 27 PRAB meeting, including how to listen or participate, please visit the PRAB webpage.
  

Organization stakeholders reviewed the results as part of their November meeting with staff. Notes from this meeting will be posted on the project page soon.

If you have not yet had a chance, October 18 is the last day to complete the questionnaire. We want to hear your feedback on your current court experiences and hopes for the future.

Thank you for your participation!

We appreciate everyone who has provided your feedback on the pickleball and tennis courts during our first window of engagement. Over 170 community members joined the public meeting and over 1,400 responses for the questionnaire have been received.

While the Tennis and Pickleball Court System Plan will help us develop short-term actions to manage and invest in our current courts, the plan will also inform long-range court investment opportunities for the next 10 years.

The 2015 Aquatics Feasibility Plan is one example of a plan that provided short-term improvements and led to construction of larger projects in successive years. This careful planning ensures good stewardship of public funds.

Upcoming engagements
The closure of the online questionnaire on October 18 marks the end of our first engagement window for the project.

Engagement windows are set periods of time for staff to seek community feedback during a project. Following each engagement window, staff then processes the information and synthesize it with other project data.

A summary of the first window of engagement, including questionnaire responses and public meeting feedback, will be shared as part of the November Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) meeting. Details on future engagement windows will also be shared. Brief updates on the Court System Plan were provided to PRAB as part of the October meeting materials (starting on pg. 8).

Throughout the project, staff will continue monthly meetings with stakeholders representing Boulder Tennis Association and BOCO Pickleball. To promote transparency and consistent information sharing, BPR posts notes from these discussions on the project webpage. The October stakeholder meeting notes are now available online.

While BOCO Pickleball and Boulder Tennis Association represent a large number of players, staff acknowledge that there are other groups and kinds of players and will work to balance the needs of these different user groups.

Thank you to those who attended the recent public meeting and provided feedback in person. Presentation slides from the meeting and an audio recording of the meeting are posted here:

• PDF of Public Meeting Presentation
• Audio recording of Public Meeting

We want to hear feedback on your current court experiences and hopes for the future. The questions asked at the public meeting last week are part of an online questionnaire that is available online through October 18. Please use the link at the top of this page to access the questionnaire.

The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department would like your input to help determine the tennis and pickleball priorities for our community. We want to hear your feedback on your current court experiences and hopes for the future.

This public questionnaire will be open October 4-18. Please use this link at the top of this page to provide your responses.

Please join us for a kick-off meeting where we will share background information about the process and hear feedback on our pickleball and tennis court system.

• Wednesday, October 4, 2023
• 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• At the OSMP Hub Community Room: 2520 55th St., Boulder, CO 80301
• Doors open at 5:45 p.m., Light snacks provided

Can't make it to the public meeting but still want to share feedback?

A public questionnaire will be available online October 4 - October 18. A link will be emailed to the project list - sign up below on this webpage.

Staff is currently in contracting with the selected firm. An announcement will be made once the firm is officially under contract.

Notes from the monthly meeting between staff and stakeholders will now be posted online to provide the public more information. View the full notes from August's stakeholder meeting.

Proposals from consultants hoping to work on this project are due Monday, July 24.* Staff will then review proposals and select a consultant to work with on the Court System Plan.

Part of the project will include community engagement. Stay tuned for opportunities to provide feedback on your court experiences.

*Update: Deadline for proposals has been extended to August 14.

February 2024

Attendees

• Staff: Tina Briggs,
• PRAB Liaison: Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein
• Organization Stakeholders: Michael Xu, Rob Constable, Rachel Bloombaum, Don Bergal, Mo Seigel
• Absent: Charlotte O’Donnell (Staff)

Notes

• Staff and stakeholders reviewed the materials for the March 4 public meeting including the presentation and concept diagrams.

March 2024

Attendees

• Staff: Tina Briggs, Charlotte O’Donnell,
• Organization Stakeholders: Michael Xu, Rob Constable, Connie, Eduardo
• Absent: Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein (PRAB Liaison), Rachel Bloombaum, Don Bergal, Mo Seigel

Notes

• Staff and stakeholders recapped the March 4 public meeting and debriefed the presentation and feedback received thus far on the concept diagrams.

Attendees

• Staff: Tina Briggs, Charlotte O’Donnell, Scott Schuttenberg
• Organization Stakeholders: Rachel Bloombaum, Don Bergal, Michael Xu, Rob Constable, Cliff Moss, Mo Seigel
• Absent: Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein (PRAB Liaison)

Notes

• Scott Schuttenberg shared that sports staff will be taking over court programming in 2024. BOCO pickleball has met with this staff already and BTA will be setting up a meeting soon to discuss league reservations. Staff schedules court usage on a quarterly basis.
• Stakeholders raised concerns that the number of pickleball players reported nationwide at the November Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) meeting was too low.
  • The consultant shared the number of players as shared by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association and used by USA Pickleball.
• Stakeholders shared concern that focusing on adding courts by 2039 was too far out.
  • Staff clarified that there are plans in the current CIP to look to add courts at three potential properties by 2030. This feedback from stakeholders helped staff clarify the messaging of these plans for the community and the PRAB.
• Stakeholders shared that no changes to the current stock of courts in 2024 will continue to challenge both sports. Stakeholders understand that staff is focusing on adding courts at East Boulder Community Park and shared desire to be able to use new courts for league play, not just have those courts used by Gonzo operations.
• Staff shared that the next window of engagement will begin with a public meeting on March 4. This engagement will include drawings of the 5 sites identified for potential new courts: East, Valmont, Tom Watson, Foothills and Stazio.
• The group agreed to keep the February and March stakeholder meeting dates.

Attendees

Staff: Tina Briggs, Charlotte O’Donnell

PRAB Liaison: Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein

BOCO Pickleball Representatives: Mo Siegel, Rob Constable

Boulder Tennis Association: Michael Xu, Patrick Edwards, Don Bergal

December 12 2023

• Court System Plan Updates
  • Revised Engagement Summary Posted
    • Staff thanked stakeholders for their feedback on the Window 1 Engagement Summary as part of the November meeting. Staff incorporated the stakeholder feedback as part of the final summary that has been posted online.
  • Debrief November PRAB Meeting
    • Stakeholders had the following questions and comments following the staff presentation about the Court System Plan at the November PRAB meeting:
      • Stakeholders shared preference for having a “Complex” where multiple courts are in a single location (I.e. 8+ pickleball courts) above location proximity.
        • Having only 4 pickleball courts at a location (like currently at North Boulder Rec Center) is not as conducive to drop-in play as there are either too many people so folks cannot play or not enough people to keep games going.
      • While stakeholders desire dedicated courts, they understand that there may continue to be multi-sport courts in the system, especially to serve neighborhood and recreational uses in places where multiple separate courts are not possible – like Chautauqua.
      • Stakeholders shared concern that there is perception that a racket sport facility is not needed in Boulder and the is only a focus on adding a few more outdoor courts.
        • Stakeholders want to convey concern about lack of indoor tennis in Boulder overall including details about the waitlist and cost of current clubs that make them so exclusive.
        • Indoor facilities provided by the city could make indoor tennis access more equitable given that current options are so exclusive.
      • Stakeholders want to make sure that revenue generation is part of facilities going forward.
        • Example business plans may include Arvada or Westminster. Both include travel instructors that book the facility for a week at a time.
        • Private pickleball company financial projections only had 18% of revenue from rentals.
      • Co-location (tennis and pickleball courts at the same park) is not an essential factor in determining future locations for BPR courts, though sharing amenities and the availability of park land makes colocation likely.
  • Criteria and Site Analysis
    • Stakeholders shared overall support of criteria used to evaluate park sites where additional courts may be possible in the future.
    • Stakeholders shared concerns about the timing of upcoming planning projects that would result in 5 or more years before additional courts could be added at some sites.

Attendees

Staff: Tina Briggs, Charlotte O’Donnell

PRAB Liaison: Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein (virtual)

BOCO Pickleball Representatives: Mo Siegel, Cliff Moss

Boulder Tennis Association: Michael Xu, Patrick Edwards, Don Bergal

Notes

Review updated timeline, deliverables and engagement

Stakeholders shared the following feedback and questions:

• Stakeholder question: What is the overall change in the project schedule?
  • Staff Answer: When working to bring a consultant on board, the project schedule was adjusted to allow appropriate room for coordination around the holidays and on the detailed concept plans that will be produced as part of this plan. Recommendations and priorities for the current budget and existing courts will still be available in early 2024 to determine any actions for the coming year.
• Stakeholder question: What is the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s (PRAB) role in this project?
  • Staff Answer: PRAB consists of volunteer community members who advise the Parks and Recreation department on a range of topics. PRAB will advise staff on this plan through presentation at several meetings. While PRAB does not have formal approval authority of this plan, the resulting investment priorities will influence the future budgets that PRAB does recommend to City Council for approval. PRAB also appointed one member of the board to serve as a liaison for this project. A PRAB liaison helps bridge the gap between staff, stakeholders or other community members and the board by meeting with parties outside of the PRAB meetings and staying informed on project updates.
• Stakeholder question: Will there be another public meeting and questionnaire in February or March?
  • Staff Answer: Yes. The second window of engagement for this plan will be held in late February or March 2024 and will focus on the potential sites for additional courts. This second window of engagement will include a public meeting and an online questionnaire.

Review questionnaire responses

• Stakeholders appreciated that tennis and pickleball players were the respondents to the questionnaire with only 2 community members out of the 1440 not answering which sport they played.
• Staff thanked stakeholders for their contribution in spreading the word about the questionnaire as over 790 of the respondents reported being part of BTA and/or BOCO pickleball. As community members could choose all answers that apply on this question, and stakeholders shared they also selected friends and family - the most popular response.

• Stakeholders shared some surprise that satisfaction with the overall experience, condition and reservations was not lower.
• The desired services reflected much of what stakeholders had previously relayed to staff, with drop-in play, leagues, and online reservations being the most desirable.
• The desired amenities reflected some of what the stakeholders previously relayed to staff with a few notable differences. Stakeholders noted that groups of 4 or more courts ranked slightly lower than expected, especially for tennis where it was out ranked by indoor and covered courts. Stakeholders did note that indoor and covered courts do typically occur in groups of 4 or more, which may have influenced respondents thinking on this question.
• Stakeholders were also curious how the amenities may have been divided by those who play with their organization or not. On this point, Staff shared a quote from one casual pickleball user that expressed their preference for playing with just a few friends on the individual courts.
• Overall, the questionnaire results reflected much of the goals and opinions shared by the organization stakeholders in previous months. Some variation between sports or between types of players may help explain nuances in these results.

December meeting

At the December stakeholder meeting staff will review preliminary opportunities and constraints of park sites where additional courts could be possible in the future if additional funds are identified. This information will be reviewed with organization stakeholders and key staff before being shared with the public as part of the second window of engagement in 2024.

October 11, 2023

Attendees

Staff: Tina Briggs, Charlotte O’Donnell

PRAB Liaison: Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein (virtual)

BOCO Pickleball Representatives: Mo Siegel, Rob Constable

Boulder Tennis Association: Michael Xu, Patrick Edwards, Don Bergal

Full Notes to Share

Public Meeting held on October 4, 2023 Debrief

Stakeholders shared the following feedback and questions:

• Stakeholders thought that the public meeting was a positive step in the project and appreciated the thoughtful presentation and feedback activity.
• Stakeholders noted that this was a milestone which shows the project is moving forward and that the city acknowledged the need to plan for the future of tennis and pickleball courts.
• With over 170 attendees, stakeholders requested staff look for a larger room and a room with potential hybrid capabilities for the next round of public meetings.
• Stakeholders recommend that staff emphasis the outcomes of the Court System Plan will take years to construct after the plan is complete. This clarifies the timeline the public can expect.
• Stakeholder question: Will the dots collected at the public meeting be counted as part of the questionnaire responses?
• Staff response: Staff will count the number of stickers that community members posted on the activity posters at the public meeting. This data will be used alongside the questionnaire responses.
• Stakeholder question: Why was there not the opportunity for open question and answer for the full audience?
• Staff response: To ensure that the greatest number of community members possible can participate, staff was present around the room for individual and small group conversations during the dot activity. Past experiences with open-microphone style meetings have resulted in a few individuals monopolizing the short time available, while others do not get to ask questions and share feedback. Staff prepares before meetings to make sure we are providing consistent information and debriefs after the public meeting to make we answer any outstanding questions. Updates are posted to the project webpage and answers to commonly asked questions are added to the online FAQ as well.

Online Questionnaire Clarifications

Staff answered the following questions from stakeholders about the online questionnaire:

• Stakeholder 1uestion: What is the purpose of question which asks people to rank enhanced daily maintenance of current courts, larger enhancements to current courts and building of additional courts?
• Staff response: The City of Boulder has limited dollars on what it can spend across the parks and recreation system. Based upon community input, the city prioritizes the funds we have to Take Care of What We Have and look for opportunities to provide additional services. This question is intended to understand how community members would like city funds to be prioritized for courts.
• Stakeholder question: Why are there demographic questions?
• Staff response: The optional demographic questions help the City better understand our engagement reach. Response to these standard city questions is optional and all answers are anonymous.
• Stakeholder question: How will responses from non-racket sport players be used?
• Staff response: The questionnaire is available to the public and all members of the community are welcome to respond. By asking questions about court usage, we can look at opinions of different types of users. We are working closely with our consultant to ensure robust data analysis.

Ongoing Stakeholder Engagement

• Stakeholders will continue to meet regularly with staff to debrief engagements, answer questions and discuss project milestones.
• In October, stakeholders and staff discussed potential BPR sites where future court developments could be possible in the future. The outcomes will be shared with the public as part of the November Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) meeting.

Other Questions and Updates

Stakeholders had the following questions that staff responded to this month. Those in BOLD have been added to the racket sports FAQ.

• BTA provided an update on RMTC winter-usage and use of CU South courts.
• Stakeholder question: Would city staff be willing to share a brief narrative update each month for BOCO pickleball and BTA to include in their newsletters as they would like?
• Staff Response: In addition to full notes from the stakeholder meetings that are posted on the project webpage, staff will prepare a short summary version. Stakeholders are encouraged to share notes and the summary with their members.
• Stakeholder question: Will Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR) celebrate recent resurfacing and painting work?
• Staff Response: This work was shared on BPR social media. Staff are glad to hear the recent improvements are being enjoyed.
• Stakeholder question: Would staff consider the following short-term actions for the existing courts as requested by BTA and BOCO pickleball?
• Stakeholder proposal: Leaving Tom Watson’s current courts as dedicated Tennis Courts
• Staff response: Tom Watson Park courts will remain tennis-only at least until the Court System Plan is complete.
• Stakeholder proposal: Making Chautauqua dedicated pickleball – removing tennis and basketball
• Staff response: Staff is aware that usage of multiple sports occurs at Chautauqua and will not be changing the use at this time. Additionally, the Court System Plan will provide guidance for pickleball noise near residential areas which may impact the recommended usage of Chautauqua in the future.
• Stakeholder proposal: Changing configuration of East Boulder courts and lining another tennis court
• Staff response: Staff will explore this option further as part of recommendations to the current system that will be a part of the Court System Plan
• Stakeholder proposal: Adding simplified signs that state “No Pickleball” to courts that are currently dedicated tennis courts
• Staff response: Existing signs state that courts should not be modified for pickleball. Staff will investigate providing simplified signs that provide clearer messaging.
• Stakeholder proposal: Adding court separators at Foothills and additional roll-away nets
• Staff response: Staff has received complaints that current nets are being left on the courts and inhibiting inline roller activities. With this multi-use need in mind, staff will investigate potential for additional nets and court separators that can be moved and stored easily.
• Stakeholder proposal: Complete construction of 4 dedicated pickleball courts at East Boulder Community Park by May 2024.
• Staff response: The planning and design of East Boulder Community Park will begin in 2024, with anticipated construction in 2025. We also are frustrated that we have not been able to do this work and are excited we now have capacity and funding to complete the project. While the delay is disappointing, it does mean that BPR can be more effective with tax dollars and “dig once” on the various park improvements.

August 29, 2023

Attendees

• Staff: Ali Rhodes, Scott Schuttenberg, Bryan Beary, Tina Briggs, Charlotte O’Donnell
• PRAB Liaison: Andrew “Bernie” Bernstein
• BOCO Pickleball Representatives: Mo Siegel, Rob Constable
• Boulder Tennis Association: Michael Xu, Patrick Edwards, Don Bergal

Notes

• Originally shared in March, staff and stakeholders reviewed updated expectations for these meetings and agreed to abide by the following guidelines:
  • Collaboration – Be willing to collaborate and focus on the overall goal of moving the Court System Plan forward. Identify and remove obstacles that could delay the project. Example of obstacle is requesting past information that will not inform the plan.
  • Creativity – This process offers each of us the opportunity to think big and color outside the lines. This group and project welcome all ideas.
  • Honesty and Transparency – This group commits to delivering honest and open communication throughout the process. Communicate information fully and accurately.
  • Respect – Mutual respect among all members is key to successful dialog and project progress. Ask questions of inquiry rather than accusation.
  • Resolve Conflict – Issues of concern between members or concepts will be addressed. Working group members will work towards resolution whenever possible. If no resolution is possible, develop a mutual understanding of concerns.
  • Participation – Each working group member plays a vital role in the success of the project – we will each participate consistently throughout the project. Provide space for each voice in the room.
  • Confidentiality and Trustworthiness – Discussions should remain confidential until all parties agree to share out.
• Staff presented several communications improvements for the project:
  • Staff will have a point of contact for physical improvements and one for programming.
  • Stakeholders committed to defining their points of contact via email after this meeting.
  • To streamline responses and allow for in-person discussion, the staff point-of-contact will generally compile questions received by email each month and address them at the monthly stakeholder meeting rather than via email. Exceptions may apply for time-sensitive items.
  • Staff encourages members of BoCo Pickleball and Boulder Tennis Association to talk with their representatives to bring questions to the meeting rather than individually emailing staff.
  • Once addressed at the meeting, responses to questions will be posted online as part of these meeting notes.
  • The project webpage (https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/court-system-plan ) has been updated with additional information and will include these meeting notes from now on.
  • Stakeholders can help direct interested community members to the webpage as the most-cohesive source of information.
• Court System Plan Updates
  • Timeline
    • Staff is currently in contracting with the selected firm. An announcement will be made once the firm is officially under contract.
    • The timeline for completion still allows for recommendations to be ready by the end of the year and beginning of 2024 to influence the Capital Investment Strategy for 2025 and beyond.
    • Final document preparation will then occur in early 2024.
    • While staff began preparing the RFP in May, capacity delayed the final distribution until later in the summer.
    • Staff capacity is currently stretched due to need to address a backlog of projects. During staff turnover in the previous several years, projects continued to be added to the Capital Investment Plan annually despite lack of resources. Staff is currently working to adjust this workload and prioritize projects.
  • Funds: When identifying additional funds for future court projects, this may be a mix of private and public sources.
    • Scott Carpenter pool is a great example which was a result of the 2015 Aquatics Feasibility Study and was funded by public funds and philanthropy.
  • Stakeholder Involvement
    • The scope and tasks in the RFP have been influenced by stakeholders.
    • Stakeholders will continue to be involved in the Court System Plan process with monthly meetings, now aligning with the tasks outlined in the RFP:
      • October – Data collection, research and needs assessment
      • November – Best Practice Industry Standards and Market Analysis
      • December - Concept Alternatives
      • January – Final Draft Review
    • Consultants will interview stakeholders directly this fall.
    • Stakeholders are encouraged to join and communicate to their communities about the public meetings that will be held as part of this project. Dates to be announced.
      • Public Meeting 1 – project kick off and needs assessment
      • Public Meeting 2 – concept alternatives
• Operating Updates
  • BPR’s fall hours for pickleball will be posted on the website later this week.
  • Staff is open to considering additional hours for indoor pickleball offers due to the reduced outdoor availability.
  • BoCo Pickleball expressed interest in pursuing solutions with BTA for outdoor court space, instead of indoor hours.
  • Once finalized by BoCo Pickleball and BTA, staff will review a proposal for temporary changes.
• Physical Updates
  • Construction of 4 dedicated pickleball courts at East Boulder Community Park
    • Planning begins in 2024 (feasibility, concept plan, engagement, design development, construction documents, permitting, bidding) with construction in 2025.
    • Question: Why did this not happen in 2021?
      • As stated above: During staff turnover in the previous several years, projects continued to be added to the Capital Investment Plan annually despite lack of resources. Staff is currently working to adjust this workload and prioritize projects.

• Question: Could South Boulder become a pickleball hub and East be dedicated to tennis?
  • The Court System Plan may investigate redistribution.
  • Scheduling of class programs at East currently conflicts with court usage by other groups.
  • Tom Watson resurfacing: Following inspection of work by BPR staff, the contractor did not meet the standards and have had to correct their work. This will now be completed week of September 11
  • North Palo resurfacing: to be completed week of August 28
  • Chautauqua repair: to be completed week of September 5.
    • Question from BoCo Pickleball: will this work address the “dead zones” in the pickleball court?
    • Answer from Park Operations after the meeting: Chautauqua work is warranty work that addresses some cracking and re-painting. The dead spots that exist are subsurface infrastructure issues that will be addressed when the court is fully replaced with a post tension surface.
  • North Boulder Rec repair: to be completed week of September 5.
  • South Boulder Recreation Center (North-most courts) repainting pickleball lines in corrected color: to be completed by week of September 25.
• Additional questions:
  • How can stakeholder groups be involved in elections?
    • Staff cannot use city resources to campaign for any candidates or issues.
    • Stakeholders can ask candidates about their decision making, priorities and budget outlooks to best inform their communities which candidates’ priorities align with their own.
  • We understand that past delays and changes have created frustration and mistrust. Once complete, the Court System Plan will provide a clear roadmap for future collaboration that allows us to pro-actively plan instead of making re-active choices such as removal of courts due to noise complaints.

I will call this out as a To-do in the email to stakeholders.