GREENWOOD TWP- Plans for new pickleball courts in Greenwood Township took a big step forward, Tuesday, as the Greenwood Town Board approved a $25,000 donation to the project, as well as an updated plan to build four courts instead on the previous three.
Lake Vermilion Pickleball Association (LVPA) President Paul Thompson told the board that counting the township’s donation, the group has raised a little over $80,000 so far and has grant requests out to two or three other programs. The total cost for the four courts is estimated to be a little over $100,000. Thompson said fundraising may even be on track to pay for a resurfacing of the existing tennis court, which is starting to show its age.
In addition, the group is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, April 20 at the Vermilion Club from 6-9 p.m., with donations being taken and free pizza and live music.
“We are in excellent shape to begin construction,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the request to build four courts is in response to several issues, including the growing and continuous amount of community support, the success of the fundraising efforts, and the efficiencies of per court costs in building four versus three.
Some board members were concerned initially that the fourth court would occupy an area traditionally used to pile snow in winter from the township parking lot. But Thompson noted there was plenty of room on the edge of the parking lot parallel to Hwy. 77, that had previously been the site of the recycling canisters.
Supervisor John Bassing said it would be harder to plow the snow in that pattern and might take longer. But supervisor Paul Skubic said it shouldn’t be a problem.
“I plow for a living,” said Skubic. “You just have to get your banks back far enough to start.”
A motion to approve the four courts passed 4-1, with Bassing voting against. “We had a deal,” he said.
Chair Lois Roskoski said she was working with the township attorney to arrange the payment and said the township will actually donate $24,999, to stay under the $25,000 limit to avoid having to call for bids. The project is being overseen by the LVPA and the Greenwood Recreation Board, and they have already received an acceptable bid for the work from Mesabi Bituminous. Once built, the courts will be township property.
Work on the courts will need to be done before the township has the parking lot resurfaced, so the heavy equipment does not damage the new blacktop.
Thompson said they hope to begin as soon as road restrictions are lifted.
Parking lot project
The board reviewed the bids received for the parking lot mill and overlay project, and did award the bid to Mesabi Bituminous, which had the low bid of $99,800, pending approval by the township attorney. The two other bids received were for $167,685 and $358,049. The township has been working with Benchmark Engineering on the design of this project.
The township had opted to do this work in 2024, a year ahead of the planned schedule, because a blacktop plant will be set up nearby for roadwork being done in the area, which was expected to greatly reduce the cost of the blacktop.
Questions were raised about how the bids for the parking lot project were handled, and if it was proper to have the bids opened and posted publicly prior to the meeting. Roskoski will consult with their attorney to make sure the process was handled properly.