Dixon officials approved more than half a million dollars’ worth of upgrades for Hall Park Tennis courts, which will also be stripped for pickleball. Courtesy photo

DIXON, CA (MPG) – Game, set, match.

No matter the score, many Dixon residents are sure to love the new Hall Park tennis courts, which will be completed by the end of the year.

Public Works director Louren Kotow said that “Hall Park contains the only tennis courts currently within the Dixon park system, which were constructed in the mid-1980s and resurfaced successfully approximately 30 years ago,” Kotow said.

The free Dixon tennis courts are open to the public for singles and group play day or night. Courtesy photo 

At the May 21 regular council meeting, Mayor Steve Bird and the council approved more than half a million dollars for the Hall Park upgrade, which is needed again after a 2016 resurfacing to cover extensive cracking and asphalt patch replacement that has not degraded to the point of no return. 

Dixon public information officer Madeline Graf said the tennis courts are used daily by individuals and groups, making the upgrade necessary.

“The surface has degraded to the point that a complete reconstruction is necessary to keep the courts playable,” Graf said.

The project includes reconstructing the sub-base, building a new multi-layer base and finishing the courts with a new acrylic coating system.

Hall Park Tennis Courts are about to have more than half a million dollars in upgrades. Courtesy photo 

Additionally, existing lights will be renovated to LEDs and new center-court lighting will allow optimal night play.

 “We will also be adding pickleball stripping on several courts, which will allow for both tennis and pickleball play,” Graf said.

The project went out to bid more than once, but according to a staff report, all bids received were above budget. Of the four total bids received, two were incomplete. The final award was again delayed, due to a protest letter filed by the disqualified lowest bidder and additional budgetary deficit delays.

Kotow said that Biondi Paving Inc. was chosen for the project, coming in at $624,000, instead of another bid by Hellas Construction for more than $896,000. Due to the delays, Biondi Paving Inc. requested an increase in their bid, due to an increase in material costs since they originally submitted a proposal in January.

The new bid is $11,016 more, totaling $635,016, which is “still substantially lower than competitors,” according to the staff report. According to the public information officer, the upgrade comes when gratis city resources are very welcome.

“The tennis courts are one of the many free amenities available in Hall Park,” Graf said. “They offer a free place for individuals, families, and teams to gather and play.”

Residents that play together stay together, according to Graf.

“City recreational facilities, like the tennis courts, play a crucial role in fostering relationships and enriching the culture of a community,” Graf said. “They offer residents a shared space where they can engage in physical activities, socialize and participate in events.”