Title
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.
Body
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 belie...
Click here for full text