COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa City Council voted Feb. 3 to commit up to $60,000 from the city’s Parks Impact Fee Fund toward a proposed partnership with the Colusa Rotary Club to construct pickleball courts at Sankey-Elmwood Park.
Colusa City Manager Jesse Cain said the request was intended to formally demonstrate the city’s commitment and help the project move forward.
“This is really about getting the ball rolling and showing the city is serious about this project,” Cain said.
Under the proposal, the city would commit the funds before a formal agreement with Rotary is finalized.
Cain said discussions with Rotary members indicate the group plans to move forward once internal approvals are completed.
“There is no formal agreement yet, but the intent is there and the process is moving,” he said.
The project would be built in phases. All four courts would receive concrete slabs and underground infrastructure, but only two courts would be fully completed during the initial phase. The remaining two courts would be prepared for future completion when additional funding becomes available.
“The goal is to do the groundwork now so we are not tearing things up later,” Cain said.
Council members asked whether the $60,000 would be enough to complete two courts. Cain said the amount should be close if volunteer labor and donated services materialize.
“I cannot guarantee it, but with partnerships and volunteers, it should be very close,” he said.
During public comment, speakers voiced support for the partnership and the funding commitment.
Colusa Rotary Member Nic Webber said the group has discussed designs and layout plans but are waiting on formal board approval.
“Once that happens, we are ready to move forward,” he said.
Community member Allison Costa said a community fundraising effort had paused at Rotary’s request until the city took formal action.
“We were asked to hold off until the city made a commitment, and now we are excited to move ahead,” she said.
Leslie Poland, a member of the Parks, Recreation and Trees Commission noted the commission had discussed pickleball facilities for several years and approved the Sankey-Elmwood Park location in 2025.
“We have been working toward this for a long time, and it is good to see it reach this point,” he said, while also requesting the commission be included in future discussions.
Council members described the proposal as a straightforward public-private partnership funded through park impact fees rather than the General Fund.
“This is a clean partnership that makes sense and gets the process started,” Council member Greg Ponciano said.
The council unanimously approved the resolution authorizing the city manager to commit up to $60,000 for the project.