A project totaling nearly $500,000 is still on pace to be ready by early fall, likely in October, as contractors are moving ahead in what a city official described as a “very smooth” manner.

 

The work in question is for the Deegan Lake Park Pickleball Court, which will be the first outdoor pickleball court facility in Bridgeport. The contract approving the project was greenlighted by City Council at its July 8 meeting.

 

“Things are moving along nicely, and it’s been a very smooth effort,” said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth. “They’ve also had great weather.”

 

The agenda for the Council meeting, where it was approved, called the area Deegan Lake Park. It is situated between Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, just above where the dog park. For many years, the area was used for youth soccer.

 

The main part of the project involving construction of the pickleball courts is being done by Petrucci Brothers, LLC. The contract to construct the courts is $340,225 with a 10 percent contingency of $34,022 for a total of $374,247.

 

While Petrucci Brothers are moving ahead, the second contract with the project is for the lighting at the new courts. Musco Lighting will handle that with a cost of $135,000 and also a Council-approved 10 percent contingency of $13,500 for a total of $148,500.

 

“A big phase is the concrete work needed and the courts are being done in four pours. The second pour was done (Thursday, August 22),” said Shuttleworth. “Weather dependent, the third one will be done (today) and the fourth one will be done Wednesday.”

 

Once the final pour is done, work will slow down. Although Shuttleworth said things such as setting some of the fence posts will be done, there will be a quiet period.

 

“With the concrete, it needs to set for several weeks to let it cure. We will have roughly a month of curing time with the concrete,” said Shuttleworth.

 

After that period is complete, the acrylic will go down and the court will be painted with the proper lining. Musco will likely be starting its work by that time.

 

“All of Musco’s equipment is supposed to come in during September,” said Shuttleworth. “Once it is delivered, they can start on the work that involves drilling and setting the bases for the light poles and installing them. The electrical work that follows is a little more involved and will involve coordination with (Mon Power).”

 

As for the conduit work, it is already done. Shuttleworth said that was part of the general contractor’s job.

 

Once finished, there will be eight pickleball courts. There will also be a redo and restriping of the existing parking area to maximize space.

 

“There will also be plenty of green space left in the area and a few additions,” said Shuttleworth. “There will be a small single-stall restroom, and eventually a picnic shelter for relaxation, shade, or anyone who would want to have a picnic in that area.”

 

Shuttleworth said pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States. He said this project, along with the recently opened courts in Clarksburg, will add to the inventory for the considerable number of players in the city and the region.

 

“One thing that is nice about this that what we do with Parks and Recreation is usually geared for children, which is fine, but this gives us the opportunity to hit a segment of the population we often have a little more difficult time finding programs and activities for,” he said. “This will certainly help from that end and when it is complete the city will have another nice facility for community use.”

 

Editor's Note: Top and bottom photos show contractors getting the pickleball court area prepared for concrete to be poured, while the middle photo shows the first of four concrete pours taking place.