Three new bids are in for Lake Placid’s proposed eight-court pickleball complex at Lake June Park. With the lowest proposal, previously incurred expenses, a traffic study and $8,000 for Cool and Cobb to manage the project, the total would reach $745,053.63.
Assuming the town receives its state and county grants in full, $245,779.63 would come from town funds.
The Lake Placid Town Council is scheduled to consider the bids Sept. 14.
| Contractor | Submitted bid |
|---|---|
| Investment Anchor Group/Bevis | $639,135.00 |
| Cobb Site Development | $727,401.99 |
| Legacy Sports Construction | $750,960.00 |
Legacy was the sole bidder in the first round, submitting $643,335. Its new proposal is $107,625 higher—an increase of approximately 16.7%. The increases are spread across existing work items. The price sheets do not identify additional courts or a larger playing area, and the submissions do not explain why the prices increased.
How the Funding Has Changed
The town’s earlier capital improvement schedule listed a $433,000 pickleball project: $78,000 from town funds, $155,000 through the county’s Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee, or RPAC, and $200,000 through the state’s Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, known as FRDAP. The funding plan later increased to $699,274 as the town attempted to add needing paving and parking mprovements. The town’s contribution grew to $200,000, county funding increased to $299,274, and the state grant remained $200,000.
The lowest new bid, together with the other identified expenses, would require another increase in town funding.
| Funding source | Earlier capital plan | Current budget | With lowest bid and identified expenses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town funds | $78,000.00 | $200,000.00 | $245,779.63 |
| County RPAC | $155,000.00 | $299,274.00 | $299,274.00 |
| State FRDAP | $200,000.00 | $200,000.00 | $200,000.00 |
| Total | $433,000.00 | $699,274.00 | $745,053.63 |
The latest total includes:
| Project expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest construction bid | $639,135.00 |
| Already expended, according to the agenda material | $95,418.63 |
| Traffic study | $2,500.00 |
| Cool and Cobb project management | $8,000.00 |
| Total | $745,053.63 |
Future maintenance and repairs are additional expenses. Reimbursement funding also requires the town to pay eligible costs before receiving repayment, so the money needed during construction is greater than its eventual share.
The submitted bid schedules may be seen here: Lake Placid Pickleball Bid Schedule
What Does That Price Include?
The proposals cover eight asphalt courts with acrylic playing surfaces, nets, fencing, lighting, drainage and sod based parking. The project provides the courts and supporting infrastructure, but does not include seating, shade structures or other amenities. Landscaping is also not included.
Investment Anchor and Legacy Sports both propose working with Coastal Courts for court construction. Cobb Site Development identifies Nidy for the court system and asphalt and includes its court-project history and references.
Lighting accounts for a substantial difference in the bids. Investment Anchor lists $62,000 for lighting and electrical work and proposes an alternate lighting arrangement requiring approval. Cobb Site Development prices those items at a combined $194,995.08. Legacy includes a $125,000 allowance. The town’s review needs to establish exactly what equipment, installation and costs each covers.
Warranty and Deadline Questions Remain
The town’s orginal bid packet included a two year warranty. However, the latest bid packet included only a one year warranty required, but then an addendum was issued restoring the two-year warranty requirement. All three submissions nevertheless contain one-year warranty language.
Sebring Pickleball Club Renews Its Appeal
Sebring Pickleball Club President Dana Adams is again urging supporters to attend the Lake Placid council meeting. His latest Facebook appeal follows an Aug. 23 post accusing the mayor and council of “mis-management”. “We still need to make a showing of pickleball enthusiasts and have speakers,” Adams wrote in the latest post.
While the council will hear from pickleball players throughout the area, its decision will determine the financial obligation assumed by Lake Placid taxpayers, including the town’s share of construction and the courts’ ongoing maintenance and repair costs.
Separately, pickleball courts are planned in Placid Lakes. In a homeowners association newsletter, President Greg Dunlop reported that existing tennis courts had been purchased and that building pickleball courts was the next step.
The Sept. 14 agenda leaves the bid decision to the Town Council.
