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RESOLUTION R-1920-55: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $60,000 FROM THE ROOM TAX FUND BALANCE FOR RENOVATION OF THE OUTDOOR TENNIS COURTS AT THE 12TH AVENUE RECREATION CENTER.
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BACKGROUND: In 1980, the City of Norman began collecting a 4% Hotel/Motel Room Tax. Approximately 25% of the Room Tax Revenues are to be used specifically for capital improvements in the Parks and Recreation Department. In April, 2013, voters authorized increasing the Room Tax rate to 5%. These funds are often programmed in each budget cycle to fund facilities and projects that can help generate potential overnight stays; which is the source of the Room Tax. Recent projects have included improvements to the Sooner Theatre, a current project to help design and construct an addition to the Firehouse Art Center, multiple improvements to our recreation centers, funding the Bicycle Skills Park, and projects at Westwood Tennis Center, such as the pro shop expansion and the new youth courts built in 2016.
There is a current balance of approximately $180,000 in the Room Tax Fund balance that is available for projects. In recent years, the sport of pickleball has gained popularity locally and nationally. There are many active league and casual players in Norman, who play year-round in local weekly meets and at regional and national events. For the past several years, there has been a busy league organized to play indoors at the 12th Avenue Recreation Center. There are often long lines for playing time on league nights and the floors are marked for casual use any day during open gym time. Recently, the local league administrators have approached the City about converting the 4 outdoor tennis courts at 12th Avenue into pickleball courts, with permanent nets and striping for their sport. Based on the dimensions of sanctioned pickleball courts, we can get 6 pickleball courts for every 2 tennis courts at 12th Avenue. However, we believe that it would be best for the public to leave two of the tennis courts lined and netted for tennis; but with blended lines applied to them which can be used during tournaments to make more pickleball courts by adding temporary nets to that blended line work. Based on preliminary estimates received, it is believed that $60,000 would be sufficient to repair, clean, resurface and then re-apply the lines and nets for both sports. The result will be 2 refurbished tennis courts and 6 new full-time pickleball courts; with line work on the tennis courts to have 6 temporary pickleball courts as needed on the 2 tennis courts.
DISCUSSION: At this time, staff is recommending an appropriation of Room Tax Fund balance in order to re-furbish the courts and perimeter fencing at the outdoor tennis courts at 12th Avenue Recreation Center, including: court crack repairs, resurfacing, new nets, new line work and new fence fabric on the existing perimeter posts around the courts.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution R-1920-55, appropriating $60,000 from the Room Tax Fund Balance (Org 23, Object 29000) to Project RT0008, 12th Avenue Tennis Court Renovation, Construction (Org 23798815, Object 46101) for the renovation of the outdoor tennis courts at the 12th Avenue Recreation Centers.