Lake Placid’s proposed pickleball complex is still alive.
Despite an extremely tight construction schedule and several remaining financial questions, the Town Council voted Monday to finalize the bid documents and move forward with seeking contractors for the project at Lake June Park. Bids are scheduled to close Aug. 11, with a recommendation expected to return to the council for a final decision Aug. 17. The narrow timeline gives the selected contractor approximately five months to complete the work. Under the proposed bid documents, substantial completion would be required by Jan. 31, 2027.
That date leaves little room before the Town’s grant deadlines. The Highlands County Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee funding agreement currently requires the project to be completed in early February 2027, while the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant runs through April 30, 2027. Town officials are asking Highlands County to extend its deadline to better align with the state grant, as well as approve reductions to the scope withput reducing the grant amount. Those reductions include parking and paving near the boat ramp, cabanas, windscreens and some fencing around the pickleball courts. Mayor Colleen Charles is expected to represent the Town when the proposed changes go before the County Commission on July 21. The county has awarded the Town $299,274 through RPAC.
After costs already incurred, officials estimate approximately $608,000 remains available for construction. The actual cost will not be known until bids are received. Other issues remain unresolved. A new traffic study must include weekend traffic because the original study was conducted during weekdays and the county is requiring an additional study to include weekend traffic. Additional permitting or traffic improvements identified through that study could create further expenses.
Council Member Ray Royce said the Town should continue moving forward while the funding discussions and bid process take place at the same time. Issuing the invitation to bid does not require the Town to award the project, and the council may reject all bids if they exceed the available funding. If the bids come in too high or grant funding changes, Royce said the Town can acknowledge that it tried and move on.
Council members Royce and Nell Hays voted to issue the invitation to bid. Council Member Joy Eberhardt voted against it, citing the remaining financial unknowns, possible additional project costs and uncertainty surrounding future property tax revenue.
For now, however, the project remains in motion—and the next answer will come when contractors submit their prices Aug. 11.
