North Platte’s cracked, uneven, worn-out tennis courts in Cody Park have been demolished, making way for a new, large pickleball and tennis court complex.

Not only did the demolition of the old courts clear away the asphalt and concrete, but half a dozen large trees were removed on the north side of the old courts. Removing the trees will make way for the new complex, which will be about twice the size of the old tennis courts.

Beveridge, Inc. is currently moving a lot of dirt to prepare the grade.

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Top photo: Construction equipment at the site, June 22. Photos by George Lauby.

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The city’s contracted engineer, Brent Burklund, said the courts could be in use by October. When finished, the complex will have 10 new pickleball courts on the west side and 6 new tennis courts on the east.

There will also be two separate championship-caliber tennis courts, about 60 feet away from the rest of the courts.

Burklund said the courts will be made of post-tension concrete that is “cinched” tight as the concrete hardens, creating a playing surface that will resist cracks and will not shift and settle. The surface is expected to last 60 years or more.

The cost of the complex is $1.42 million. Of that, pickleball and tennis players raised nearly $500,000.

LER Inc, doing business as Renner Sports Surfacing of Denver, is expected to arrive in late July to construct the courts.

Burklund said a building is also in the preliminary plans for the complex. That will be coordinated with renovations to Cody Pool, where work is also getting underway.

(This report was first published in the Bulletin’s June 19 print edition. It has been updated.)

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