SUMMERDALE - The Town of Summerdale is moving forward with the construction of four tennis courts. During the April council meeting, the council awarded the project construction bid to Asphalt Services. Due to increased construction material prices and construction companies being overbooked due to Hurricane Sally, the bid came in slightly higher than budgeted. The town bid the project twice in an effort to remain close to budget.

“The price ended up coming down around $30,000 from the original bid,” said Mayor David Wilson. “The original bid was $384,000, and the new bid is a little over $355,000, so it’s down nearly $30,000. But we’re still in the situation of being overbudget what we had thought it would cost us.”

In an effort to mitigate the cost, Town Clerk Tiffany Lynn is working on possible grants that could be used to bring the project closer to budget. These include USDA grants for new projects and a Kubota grant of $100,000 for those who used Kubota equipment for projects, which according to Wilson, the town did.

Wilson said Summerdale is also receiving $301,000 from CARES Act money. He hopes to use the money to pave approximately two miles of smaller city streets, including streets near the Methodist Church, around the ballparks, near Summerdale School and the road down the center of the cemetery. The remainder of the funds may potentially be put towards the tennis courts if applicable.

The four lighted courts will be located on 2.5 acres at the intersection of First Street and East Jefferson Street, and will include a parking area. The project was made possible through a grant awarded through the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Governor Kay Ivey announced during 2019 that grants totaling $2.6 million would be awarded to 12 Alabama communities to go towards improving outdoor recreational facilities.

Grant recipients are required to equally match the amount of the award with cash or in-kind commitments. Summerdale received $234,100 grant monies to go towards to tennis courts. The town paid to have the land cleared and prepared for construction towards its in-kind services.

“This is another major improvement for the citizens in the Town of Summerdale,” said Wilson. “During our sidewalk expansion project we’re going to tie all of our recreational areas together with the Miracle Field, and that will include connecting these courts.”

For more information, visit www.summerdaleal.com.