Tennis Court ConstructionSeptember 26, 1975
To:
From:
All City Commissioners
N. D. Olson, City Manager
The following summary of events relating to the construction of the four
tennis courts near Salina High School South has been prepared to show:
(1) Precisely how and why these courts were constructed as they
were, and
(2) To correct some of the adverse comments made about them some
two (2) months ago.
Ken Nordboe contacted the city several years ago about applying plexSpave to
the Oakdale Courts. His contact, was one of a contractor attempting to get
into the tennis ~ourt resurfacing business. The Commission decision, at that
time, was to provide good, substantial, low maintenance courts for all types
of players to use. They did not consider the artificial surface as an essential
feature in meeting this criteria for public tennis courts. To this date, that
policy has not been changed.
March 12, 1974: U.S.D. 305 Board of Education approved plans and specifications
for construction of 4 tennis courts to be located on South Senior High property.
Bids were to be received by Mr. Brockman prior to April 1, 1974, and reviewed
'by the Board of Education on April 2, 1974. These specifications called for
"concrete to be floated and trowled to a smooth finish". Bids were received
but a contract was not awarded, as conversation had developed between the
Board of Education and the City for the City to acquire this property from the
school for park purposes Chat would include construction of the courts by the
City as a part of the financial consideration.
MaS 13, 1974: City agreed to buy the land for park purposes and construct the
4 tennis courts. The City utilized the specifications which had been prepared
by USD 305. The specifications did not mention plexipave of any other artificial
surface.
Meetings were held with the 1974 Labor Day Tournament Committee to determine if
the City would consider providing plexi-pave surface to the 2 north courts in
Oakdale prior to the tournament. The committee was advised of the above policy.
August 22, 1974: Recreation Commission agreed to plexi-pave the 2 north tennis
courts in Oakdale Park as they had previously done to the 4 south courts, and
to do so prior to the 1974 Labor Day Tournament. USD 305 had the courts at
Central High School repaired and plexi-paved at the same time.
MaS 5, 1975: City set the date of May 19, 1975, to receive bids for the 4
courts at South Senior High.
MaS 19, 1975: Contract was awarded to J. S. Frank Construction Company to
build these courts.
All City Commissioners
September 26, 1975
Page -2-
Prior to construction of these courts, Dean Boyer contacted Dr. Schurr to
determine if the School Board desired to provide plexi-pave to these courts.
He also contacted Don Jolley to determine if the Recreation Commission desired
to provide plexi-pave to the courts. The response he received from both
inquiries was negative.
July 24, 1975: 'Last pour of concrete for construction of these courts.
August 5, 1975: First public comments made critical that the courts were
built without providing an artificial playing surface.
These comments are made--not to support or oppose the present question of
providing an artificial surface to the courts--but to defend the plans and
specs as they were developed and the courts as they were constructed. These
courts are comparable in every respect to any previously constructed by the
City of Salina.
The facts remain that, to date, the City has never paid for any artificial
surface to tennis courts and that this was known by those who recently
leveled the loudest criticisms. Also, those who now claim the courts worth-
less (for competitive play) unless overlayed, never mentioned this need
until the courts were completed (these include Board of Education Members,
coaches and/or players). Three USD 305 Board Members have since related
that they had never considered plexi-pave or any other artificial surfacing
from the time they approved the original specifications in 1974 until their
meeting of August 5, 1975.
Staff has no strong feelings for or against this question. We do, however,
encourage you to provide the same treatment for the new courts in Sunset
Park as you determine for these now under consideration.