Residents urge council to reconsider $900,000 pickleball-court plan at Gunnison Park

GUNNISON — Residents told the Gunnison City Council on April 15 that a proposed conversion of the former skate park into three pickleball courts and a basketball standard — a project staff said is being sought for 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding — appears overpriced and out of step with local needs.

At a public hearing called at 6:00 p.m., a city presenter described the concept as three pickleball courts with basketball standards on one side and said the city has applied for related grant funding. The presenter said the project is still seeking funding and that engineers have submitted initial cost estimates.

“From what the information I have … it looks like they paid for this park for $350,000,” resident Carlton Jensen told the council, challenging a staff-cited $900,000 estimate for the proposed courts. Jensen urged the council to consider more modest options or alternatives such as a modular pump track, and cited other towns’ costs ranging from about $120,000 to $400,000 for similar projects.

Jensen also told the council the city removed a skate park in 2023 with the understanding it would be replaced; he and other speakers said that many local children used the skate area and that replacing it with courts could leave fewer places for adolescents to gather and play.

His son, William Jensen, also spoke at the mic and opposed converting the skate park into pickleball courts. “I don’t like the idea,” William said, recommending that ramps be restored or that a pump track — which he said works for bikes and scooters — be considered instead.

Council members and staff asked clarifying questions about the project timeline, procurement and design details. A staff presenter reiterated that cost estimates could change as engineers refine plans and that the city is still seeking funding. One council member asked about the height and difficulty level of the pump-track design and whether it would suit advanced riders or mainly younger children.

Several speakers contrasted the proposed courts with existing basketball options, noting the high school and some churches have hoops; others said those facilities are not universally accessible and may be in disrepair. Speakers also referenced community survey feedback they said showed limited public support for pickleball courts compared with other amenities.

The council opened the public hearing on the CDBG funding item, heard the comments, then voted to close the hearing and later moved to adjourn. No formal funding decision or contract award was made at the meeting; staff said the project remains at the funding-seeking and design stage.

Votes at a glance
• Motion to open public hearing on 2026 CDBG funding for the Gunnison City sports-court project — moved by Councilman Pickett, seconded; approved by voice vote to open the hearing.
• Motion to close the public hearing — moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.
• Motion to adjourn — moved by Councilman Childress, seconded by Councilman Peterson; approved by voice vote.

What’s next
Staff said the project remains subject to confirmation of funding and final design and that engineers’ estimates may be revised before any contract or construction decision. The city did not vote to allocate CDBG funds or authorize construction at this meeting.