When you’ve head a city department as long as Don Burton, you’ve been involved with hundreds of projects. Yet after 30 years, the director of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation said it’s hard to remember a project running into as many obstacles as the one that’s currently taking place.

 

“This one is probably near, or maybe even at the top of the list as far as past projects running into problems and timelines,” said Burton. “I’m glad to see it nearing the finish line and I’ll be glad when it’s over.”

 

The project in question is what has amounted to the complete replacement of the four Hinkle and Deegan Lakes tennis courts. The project was initially bid out for $259,000 and the thought was that it would be finished early spring of 2016 barring the discovery of subsurface problems.

 

Almost immediately, that became the case. The courts, which were in poor shape, had issues below the surface that were discovered once the work began that the city and the contractor bidding knew was possible. The result was pushing back the timeline and adding nearly $34,000 to the project cost for a total of a $300,000 project.

 

One those were straightened out, Burton and others were hoping for a late summer or early fall of 2016 opening. As work appeared to be wrapping up, areas of the court were found not to be level.

 

“The contractor had to remove the asphalt and start from scratch. Basically, that wiped out any plans of it being open last year,” said Burton.

 

While a late fall completion was still possible, yet another issue was discovered. Burton said bad asphalt was located in several areas and that work, which was pushed into 2017, had to be done.

 

“The topsy-turvy weather has been difficult for us to get going this year. You can’t go in and seal the asphalt once it was fixed until it is 50 degrees or greater for two or three straight days and if you have the warmth it can’t be raining. We haven’t had that until recently,” said Burton. “

 

With the warmer weather, a subcontractor has been in the process of leveling and sealing the tennis courts. Because of that, Burton is more hopeful the revamped timeline will be met this year.

 

“We’re hoping by the end of June or the beginning of July all four courts will be open,” said Burton. “We realize there have been some residents that are frustrated and it’s been frustrating for us as well. It’s not the biggest project by far we’ve been involved with, but one thing after another seems to have crept up. We think we’re close to getting a handle on it.”

 

While the time can’t be made up, Burton said the additional replacement and work didn’t cost the city extra money – outside of the subsurface woes. The other expenses were covered by the contractor.

 

“That’s standard in a contract and the contractor is finishing up the work. On every project we have a bond issue in the event the contractor doesn’t, which hasn’t been the case here,” said Burton.

 

After the current work is complete, Burton said fencing will still need to be installed. He also said landscaping will need to be addressed.

 

“The community has been remarkably patient and understanding and we appreciate that. I’ve had a few individuals contact me through various methods about the status, but they understand the situation when it’s explained to them. I know it’s tough of those individuals because they’re avid tennis players,” said Burton. “We’re hoping this is the beginning of the end for this project.”

 

Editor's Note: Workers, trucks and materials as part of the ending touches are shown above as the lengthy Lakes tennis court project appears to be reaching a conclusion.