Laguna High tennis court resurfacing project still up in the air

The ball is in the Laguna Beach City Council’s court as it prepares to debate the future of the high school’s tennis facilities.

Post-tension — a means of reinforcing concrete — appears to be the industry standard for tennis court surfaces, but whether the Laguna Beach High School courts receive that type of renovation is still uncertain.

The cost estimate for the method has increased, presenting a big obstacle: money.

The district is able to pay its portion under the joint-use agreement with the city, Assistant Supt. of Business Services Dean West said. The city, however, does not have an additional $519,000 in its budget to cover the updated expense for post-tension, Deputy City Manager Ben Siegel has said.

Estimates for repairing five of the six courts at the school exceed $1 million, nearly double the amount agreed upon by the city and the school district in 2013 as part of their joint-use facilities contract.

At the current $1.3-million estimate from CS Legacy Construction, the city would be on the hook for $953,996, while Laguna Beach Unified would pay $408,856. The city pays 70% of costs while the district foots 30% under their agreement.

Under

the 10-year joint-use agreement — renegotiated in 2013 — between the district and the city, the cost of the tennis court repair project with post-tension was estimated at $620,000. In that case, the city would have been responsible for $435,000, less than half of what it would be with the current $1.3-million estimate.

The estimate increased after officials decided to reconstruct a ramp to comply with Americans With Disabilities Act requirements and as a result of a higher-than-expected post-tension costs.

On Tuesday, the council will discuss whether to contribute that amount or weigh other options.

City staff is not recommending a project with post-tension courts, according to the council agenda. And in fact, earlier this year the city recommended a less costly plan that involves repairing cracks, grinding high spots and applying three layers of paint, said Deputy City Manager Ben Siegel.

“[City] staff believes [$435,000] is adequate to improve the courts consistent with the original scope of work, and bring the courts up to the same high-quality standard as the city-owned tennis courts in the community,” the agenda says.

The district is recommending post-tension.

The technique, which involves embedding steel cables in the concrete and tightening them, is designed to prevent cracking and require less long-term upkeep, experts say.

Parents have pined for improvements to the courts, citing the dangers of slippery surfaces and cracks that can alter a tennis ball’s trajectory.

The courts were last resurfaced in 2008. One of the six courts has post-tension.

In 2010, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District built three new courts at Corona del Mar High with post-tension. The project, which included new lighting and fencing, cost $450,000, Administrative Director of Facilities Tim Marsh wrote in an email.

Court surfaces remain primarily intact, he added.

“There are very minor hairline surface cracks that are covered by the court surface sealer,” Marsh said.

Newport Beach, which does not have a joint-use facilities agreement with Newport-Mesa Unified, completed two tennis courts and one basketball court with post-tension at Bonita Canyon Sports Park in 2001 for $135,000, said Sean Levin, Newport Beach’s deputy director of recreation and senior services.

He added that the cost was based on a bid from 1999 and that the same project would be more expensive in today’s dollars.

“Post-tension is the right way to do it,” said Levin. “If you don’t do it, then you’ll get a big crack in the courts.”

The Laguna Beach High project also would include replacing existing fences and gates with vinyl-coated chain link, upgrading court lighting and repairing a retaining wall.

District Supt. Sherine Smith sent a Nov. 21 letter to Siegel urging the city “to reconsider its stance and invest the additional funding necessary to produce a high-quality improvement.”

“The courts are an important district and community asset available to students, residents and visitors,” Smith said, adding that they undergo “excessive wear and tear.”

But Siegel has said the top-of-the-line process is not necessary.

“We feel [an alternate plan] would bring those courts to the same standard of maintenance as all of our city courts,” Siegel said in April.

The city maintains 12 additional tennis courts, at least six having post-tension.

The district must let CS Legacy know by the end of January whether it will accept its bid offer. .