Pittsburg Could Break Ground on Dream Courts Facility This Fall

After Pittsburg City Council action Monday, they could have a groundbreaking as early as September for its Dream Courts project.

On Monday, the council approved a second amendment, due to rising construction costs, the city will now increase its cost to $5.750 million while Discovery Builders is at $3.25 million and would be constructed on city owned land at at West Leland and John Henry Johnson Parkway

According to staff, over the past two years, construction costs have increased significantly, with the latest cost to construct the Dream Courts are estimated roughly at $8,500,000, not including contingency funding.

Jordan Davis, Director of Community and Economic Development, explained in August of 2022, the City entered an agreement with Discovery Builders to design and construct an indoor recreation facility (45,000 sq ft) which was not to exceed $3 million. It was then increased to $3.25 million in Dec. 2020 which included restrooms.  By 2020, the council approved “Dream Court” while in fall of 2022 it submitted plans.

According to the Design Plan and Facility Summery:

• 41,007 TOTAL SQUARE FEET
• 5 HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL COURTS 84’X 50’
• 2 OFFICES, 120 SQUARE FEET EACH
• 775 SQUARE FEET OF STUDY/ FLEXIBLE SPACE
• 554 SQUARE FEET OF STORAGE
• SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE REMOVABLE BLEACHERS
• COVERED WAITING/ DROP OFF AND PICK UP AREA.
• AREA FOR POTENTIAL SPONSORSHIP BANNERS AND COURT MARKINGS
• NATURAL DAYLIGHTING AND VENTILATION STRATEGIES
• MEN’S RESTROOM (2 LAVS, 2 URINALS, 1 WATER CLOSET)
• WOMEN’S RESTROOM (2 LAVS, 3 WATER CLOSETS)
• 16 BICYCLE PARKING AND BIKE REPAIR STATION

Davis called it an exciting project which would add to the community.

“It’s something that is going to drive tourism, sports tourism, we think that in turn it will help drive economic development as folks flow in from other areas and regions from the state to attend tournaments here,” said Davis. “Its really going to be a state of the art facility and when constructed the largest indoor facility in within this county and within the region.”

Davis said they were seeking authorization for a 2^nd amendment to the contract due to rising costs which is now estimated at $8.5 to $9 million and staff is proposing use of $5.75 million of ARPA funds. It also specifies that restrooms will be a part of the building.

They are also hoping construction will begin this fall while Discovery Buildings will not collect any administration fee or reimbursement.

Garrett Evans confirmed that if the council approved the Memorandum today, construction could begin around Sept. 1 which is 45-days.

Councilmember Jelani Killings asked although the groundbreaking might be on Sept. 1, he was curious what the estimated completion date would be.

Davis shared they were looking at a construction period of about 12-months.

Louis Parsons, president of Discovery Builders, said the land improvements were minimal and the timeline was estimated around 12-months and they would do everything they could to meet the budget to make it as high quality as possible.

Killings expressed his support of the project and the vision for what they were looking to build while committing to youth sports and tourism.

“This will be the state of the art facility that we imagine it to be so hopefully there is not too many scale backs over the next 12-months,” said Killings.

The council voted in favor of the second amendment in a 3-0 vote.

Editors Note:

• At the Jan 25, 2022 planning commission meeting, the first drawings of the Dream Courts facility were reveled.
• At its August 3, 2020 meeting, City Manager Garret Evans said the model was used as a footprint was The Ultimate Fieldhouse in Walnut Creek. He also highlighted the growing demand for spaces to play basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other sports. Evans called it a facility the community needed.

Staff Report – click here

Background

• Jan 23, 2022 – Dream Court Plans
• Feb 1, 2021 – Staff Report (1st Amendment)
• Aug 3, 2020 – Staff Report