Park Board Eyes Budget in Seeking Bids for Tennis Court Resurfacing at H-F Racquet Club

The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Board of Commissioners voted to reject the initial bid for resurfacing of the H-F Racquet and Fitness Club’s tennis courts as per the recommendation of Dave Thommes, the club’s manager. Subsequently, Thommes has shopped around for a better price.

According to a memo from Thommes, the only initial bidder was Perma-Seal, at $44,806. Thommes said the price was "significantly over budget." He attempted to negotiate the price down to $39,000, but to no avail.

In response, the racquet club went to bid once again with an amendment to the bid to allow for the acceptance of different, better-suited paints. Thommes was able to secure the desired bid price of $39,000 from another company, Tennis Surfaces Company, for a "basic" color of paint and $41,500 for a "higher-tier" color.

Additionally, Thommes said the racquet club is pursuing a grant from the United States Tennis Association in an effort to drive down the cost of the higher-tier paint color to a price that is not to exceed the $39,000 budgeted amount. If the grant is not secured, the racquet club has obtained written confirmation that the project will be completed with the "basic" color paint at $39,000.

The board voted in favor of accepting the lower bid from Tennis Surfaces Company with assurance from Thommes that the total cost to the district will not exceed $39,000, regardless of which color is chosen.     

The racquet club's courts were last resurfaced in 2005.