MANKATO — The original set of municipal pickleball courts in Mankato, created 11 years ago out of tennis courts at Tourtellotte Park, will be replaced with six new courts at a cost of nearly $770,000.
The Mankato City Council Monday night approved final designs and putting the $768,500 project out for construction bids.
“The proposed improvements are necessary to replace the aging courts, as the bituminous pavement and playing surface have met the end of its useful life,” a feasibility report on the project stated.
The conversion of the tennis courts followed an overwhelming lobbying effort by enthusiastic new converts to pickleball in 2015. As the surge in interest in the sport continued, the converted tennis courts were supplemented with six new pickleball courts in 2023 to bring the Tourtellotte Park complex to a dozen.
In addition to replacing the converted tennis courts, the upcoming project will improve drainage and add electrical conduits for possible future enhancements. New fencing around and between the newest courts is also planned.
City officials hope to add some shade structures in the small plaza between the two sets of courts as well. Because the estimated cost of the project is above the $720,000 budgeted, the shade structures will be bid as an alternate — meaning they can be dropped if bids don’t come in below estimates.
If favorable bids are received on Sept. 3, construction is expected to begin by late September with substantial completion by June 30.
The completion of the pickleball complex wraps up a major multi-year investment in one of Mankato’s oldest municipal parks. A $350,000 project replaced a 30-year-old playground, a parking lot was restored through a $240,000 project and $9 million in upgrades to the municipal pool debuted to rave reviews in 2024.