Rocklin spends $2.9M on Sunset-Whitney pickleball

The pickleball craze continues to grow in Placer County as Rocklin hired a builder for a 16-court center at Sunset Whitney Recreation Area. The Rocklin City Council approved a $2.9 million contract March 24 to build the pickleball complex at the reimagined clubhouse of the former golf country club. The plan calls for finally demolishing the half-century-old pool basin and tennis courts, according to the report. After 52 years, the golf course closed in 2015 amid controversy. The City of Rocklin bought the property in 2018 for $5.8 million and is gradually developing the 184 acres into a regional park honeycombed with trails. The new clubhouse area has been nicknamed "The Hub." With most arriving in the last 10 years, pickleball has swelled in the county to roughly 75 locations, according to Placer Valley Tourism. Roseville alone is actually a pickleball hub with about 15 locations and 100 courts. Rocklin awarded a pro services contract to RSC Engineering in 2024 to design the center. Officials relocated the pickleball courts from the original location by homes on Midas Avenue to where the former clubhouse was located, staff explained. "Two of the courts will have bleachers to provide for an enhanced viewing experience for spectators and enable tournaments," said Rocklin Engineer Kristin Van Groningen in her council report. "The concrete of the existing tennis courts on the east end is being preserved as a gathering or staging area for players and observers." The final plans were approved last October and staff called for bids. The project invitation was advertised twice this winter with eight bids coming in, staff said. Rocklin staff said the lowest bidder was Central Valley Engineering & Asphalt of Roseville at $2,529,269. A $379,391 contingency was added for a total construction cost of $2,908,660, according to the report. The project was boosted by a $400,000 grant from PV Tourism. Meanwhile, in other Rocklin park news, the council also agreed March 24 to replace the playground structure at Night Ridge Park for $93,000. Out of seven bids going as high as $148,000, city staff chose KYA of Santa Ana the winner. The Night Ridge play structures are scheduled for replacement as part of the capital improvement program this fiscal year. The nearly eight-acre park is at 6164 Frost Ridge Way at Night Ridge Way in the neighborhood built around 2000. The Rocklin City Council also hired Heritage Landscape Supply for $200,000 worth of "ground support" this year. A nationwide supplier of park parts, Heritage has several Sacramento locations along with a Rocklin outlet at 900 Anthony Court.