Newton approves $370K construction of pickleball courts at Aurora Park

Although the first set of bids didn’t quite pan out for what many may consider to be the main project featured in the $1.6 million park bond referendum, it does not mean the other associated projects, like the pickleball courts and Maytag Pool improvements, fell through. Pickleball fans should be especially happy, in fact.

The Newton City Council on Sept. 5 approved the low bid of $370,000 from Minturn, Inc., of Brooklyn, to construct four new pickleball courts at Aurora Park. Prior to the bidding process, the city’s engineering consultant, Bolton & Menk, had prepared plans and specifications for the projects.

Council members also spent considerable time at past meetings discussing where the courts would be located at Aurora Park, ultimately deciding on a location just north of the existing tennis courts. The pickleball courts are expected to be constructed in Newton within the next year or so, creating a new area for recreation.

Engineers estimated the project to cost more than $326,000. The low bid from Minturn, Inc. does go over estimate, but the project can be funded through a mix of Wellmark Grant funds, private donations and the proceeds from the park bond.The council would go on to approve the bid in a 6-0 vote.

In addition to the low bid, the Grimes-based contractor Edge Commercial submitted a more than $399,000 bid to the city, while the Urbandale-based Graphite Construction Group, Inc. submitted a more than $461,000 bid. Council member Vicki Wade confirmed with staff the low bid was close to projected costs.

Newton Administrator Matt Muckler said the project was originally estimated at $270,000, about $210,000 of which would come from the bond funds. The city did well with some fundraising on the project, but it will still need to use about $234,000 in bond funds. This leaves about $136,000 in donations/grant funds.

“The pickleball bids, I don’t think we could have asked for any better on those bids,” Muckler said. “We have a local company that’s going to do that from right down I-80 that we heard really good things about … The pickleball enthusiasts will be very happy to hear that council just approved that project.”