WYNNE — The Wynne City Council has taken the next step towards establishing pickleball courts in downtown Wynne.
Aldermen approved an ordinance last night to finance the project, which will include four pickleball courts and several food truck hook-ups.
First Financial Bank donated the property to the city for the construction of the pickleball courts. The property was previously the location of Maxine White’s Maxi-Mart store.
Wynne Mayor Jennifer Hobbs said bids were opened for the project yesterday, but a contractor has not yet been selected. She said that the city has some follow-up questions for at least two of the contractors that bid on the project – Wagner Construction and Jackson Excavating.
Both companies are currently working on projects in Cross County – Wagner is one of two contractors on the rebuild of the wastewater treatment plant while Jackson is involved with the addition to Cross County Elementary School in Cherry Valley.
The ordinance allows for the city to finance up to $550,000 for the project, for a period of five years. The project will be financed at a rate of 4.5% through First Financial Bank.
Mayor Hobbs said that a local family has donated $200,000 over a three-year period for the project while another $20,000 was given by Cordelio Power.
The five-year financing will allow the city to raise additional funds to pay for the project.
Mayor Hobbs said the city has applied for grants for the project but has so far not been successful. The money for the project will be coming through the Wynne Parks & Recreation budget.
