The Kewanee Park Board Thursday accepted bids totaling about $160,000 for the tennis court improvements at Windmont Park.
Low bidders were Illinois Fence and Outdoor Co. to redo the fence around the tennis courts, Gutschlag Electric of Kewanee for wiring the lights, Superior Asphalt of Woodhull to replace the asphalt on the courts and Flexcourt for installing the acrylic surface.
Chris Roginski of MSI in Kewanee, the project manager who has been working with Parks Director Andy Dwyer, gave the board details of how the restoration work will be done. Park officials hope the work can begin by late summer.
The plan is to convert the two tennis courts to a tennis court, pickleball courts and two basketball courts. Park officials feel this would address the needs of the community in southern Kewanee better than simply rehabilitation the tennis courts there now.
Plans call for installing acrylic tiles as the surface for the pickle ball courts, Before the board voted on the bids, Roger Jepsen urged them not to use the acrylic materials.
Jepsen said other communities where acrylic tiles had been installed are getting rid of them because they have “dead spots” and can cause “funny bounces.”
Roginski said acrylic tiles are recommended by the U.S. Tennis Association and pickle ball association.
He said a new Margaritaville resort in the Lake of the Ozarks is installing pickle ball courts with the same tile surfaces as are being planned at Windmont.
