Board defers decision on Wheeling Park tennis‑court overhaul that would add pickleball lines

District staff presented photos and an estimate for a full renovation of the Wheeling Park High School tennis courts, emphasizing that the courts were last fully redone in 2009, have deteriorated fencing and cracking, and would require substantial work. The proposal includes replacing the surface, new perimeter fencing, improved drainage and the option to mark the courts so they can also serve as eight pickleball courts.

A staff member said the company that provided the estimate participates in the Omnia purchasing cooperative and that using Omnia would avoid a separate bid process; staff added that the vendor needs confirmation by mid‑June to secure a late‑summer/early‑fall construction window that would preserve the next tennis season.

Board members discussed spectator amenities including an elevated, covered viewing deck to keep parents off the road and to improve sightlines, restroom access and long‑term maintenance concerns. Trustee questions covered life expectancy for a new surface, likely future crack repair cycles, drainage improvements and whether alternate funding or community partnership options could reduce district costs.

Funding options identified by staff included the district’s permanent improvement account (staff said there is a balance under $3 million) and funds held at the municipal bond commission from prior bond overpayments; staff said the two sources could be combined if the board chose to do so. Several trustees asked for more time to vet those options and to explore partnerships before committing district dollars.

"If we want to go in this direction I just need to let you know we have to tell them that we want to go in this direction to the company by mid‑June," a staff member said, noting the vendor’s scheduling constraints. After further discussion about timing and outreach to possible partners, the chair suggested tabling the item to the next meeting to allow staff a deeper review; the board agreed to defer a final decision and asked facilities staff to return with a funding plan and additional vetting.

The board’s deferral means work could proceed this summer only if the district later confirms the vendor’s schedule; otherwise the district may miss the contractor’s slot and push work into a later season.