10C
Date: August 25, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Ted Stevens, Community Services Director
By: Carmen Rosas, Management Aide | [email protected] Krystle Covarrubias, Senior Business Manager | [email protected] Subject: Community Services – Accept and File Update on Feasibility and Estimated Costs for Design and Construction of New Multi -Use Court at Hickory Park and Provide Direction on Project Funding and Community Engagement Strategies. Expenditure:
To Be Determined.
RECOMMENDATION
In response to an oral request by Councilmember Dr. Jeremy Gerson with City Council concurrence, it is the recommendation of the Community Services Director that City Council:
1. Accept and file update on feasibility and estimated costs for the design and construction of a new multi-use court at Hickory Park; and
2. Provide direction regarding project funding and community engagement strategies.
FUNDING
To be determined pending City Council direction.
DISCUSSION
On March 24, 2026, Councilmember Dr. Jeremy Gerson requested that staff evaluate the feasibility and estimated costs associated with the design and construction of a new multi -use court at Hickory Park, located at 2850 W. 232nd Street. Hickory Park is a neighborhood park featuring a tennis court, playgrounds, picnic areas, concrete walking paths, sand volleyball courts, and restroom facilities.
The proposed project would replace the existing sand volleyball courts with a new multi-use court designed to accommodate futsal, a fast-paced, small-sided form of soccer played on a hard court using a smaller, low -bounce ball. Since futsal supports a variety of recreational activities, the proposed facility would provide a flexible community amenity while expanding opportunities for informal play, youth programming, and organized recreational use.
1 City Council
August 25, 2026
Project Feasibility
Based on the preliminary assessment, the proposed multi -use court is considered technically feasible from a constructability perspective. The preliminary concept includes an approximately 6,500-square-foot multi -use court, together with supporting site imp rovements necessary to integrate the facility into the existing park.
The preliminary assessment also identified several site conditions that would require further evaluation if the project advances, including grading and drainage, utility coordination, existing landscaping and irrigation, and pedestrian circulation. While t hese conditions do not preclude construction of the proposed facility, they may influence the final design, schedule, and overall project cost.
Preliminary Project Cost
Based on the preliminary project scope, including construction of the proposed multi -use court, required ADA accessibility improvements, design and engineering, topographic surveying, geotechnical investigation, and construction contingency, staff estimates the total project cost at approximately $1.75 million for planning purposes.
Although preliminary, the estimate demonstrates that the required ADA accessibility improvements affect the project's financial feasibility. The estimate would be further refined if the project advances into design. Actual project costs may also be affecte d by plan review requirements, utility relocations, drainage improvements, construction management needs, market conditions, and other factors identified during design.
Project Funding
At this time, all identified capital funding sources have been committed to previously approved projects, and no dedicated funding source has been identified for the proposed project. As such, staff is seeking City Council direction regarding the funding strategy for the estimated $1.75 million project cost, including whether to utilize available General Fund unassigned fund balance as the initial funding source.
Staff would continue to pursue competitive grant opportunities and other eligible funding sources to reduce the City's General Fund commitment. However, many grant programs require projects to be substantially developed, or "shovel ready," and generally do not reimburse costs incurred prior to grant approval. As a result, advancing the project through design would likely be necessary before grant funding could be secured.
Additionally, a Torrance resident has expressed an interest in contributing up to $100,000 toward construction of the proposed futsal courts and dedicating the facility in memory of his late father.
If accepted by the City, the contribution would reduce the amount needed from the General Fund unassigned fund balance. Any proposed contribution and commemorative dedication would be subject to future City Council approval and applicable City policies.
2 City Council
August 25, 2026
Community Engagement
Since the proposed project would introduce a new recreational amenity, and given the estimated project cost, staff recommends obtaining community input before advancing the project into final design. Community engagement would also help document community need and support for the project, which may strengthen the City's competitiveness for future grant funding opportunities.
Staff is seeking City Council direction regarding one of two approaches for obtaining community input.
Option 1 – Citywide Parks Master Plan Community Engagement
Under this option, the proposed multi -use court would be incorporated into the Citywide Parks Master Plan community engagement and prioritization process. The Parks Master Plan will include a comprehensive community engagement and needs assessment process to evaluate recreational needs, community priorities, existing park amenities, service gaps, and future capital investment opportunities throughout the City's park system. As part of this effort, staff and the selected consultant could obtain targeted comm unity input regarding potential improvements at Hickory Park, including the proposed multi-use court.
This approach would allow the project to be evaluated alongside other citywide park priorities and help establish its relative priority within the City's long-term capital improvement planning efforts.
The Parks Master Plan process is currently anticipated to be completed in December 2027.
Option 2 – Project-Specific Community Engagement
Alternatively, City Council could direct staff to conduct targeted community outreach focused specifically on the proposed multi-use court at Hickory Park. Outreach could include notification to surrounding residents and park users, a community meeting, an d an online survey or other opportunities to provide input. Feedback would help staff assess community support, identify desired recreational uses and amenities, and address potential concerns before determining whether the project should advance.
This approach would allow community engagement to begin independently of the Parks Master Plan and could position the project to advance sooner if City Council directs staff to pursue funding from the General Fund unassigned fund balance.
Following completion of either community engagement approach, staff would present the results to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review and input. Staff would then return to City Council with an update summarizing the community engagement results a nd Commission feedback, along with recommendations regarding potential next steps for the project.
Conclusion
Based on the preliminary assessment, staff has determined that the proposed multi -use court is technically feasible. However, the required ADA accessibility improvements, estimated project cost of approximately $1.75 million, and absence of a dedicated funding source affect the project's financial feasibility.
3 City Council
August 25, 2026
Should City Council determine that the proposed multi -use court remains a priority, staff will proceed with the community engagement approach directed by City Council. Following completion of the selected engagement process and review by the Parks and Recr eation Commission, staff will return to City Council with the results and recommendations regarding potential next steps.
Accordingly, staff recommends that City Council accept and file update on feasibility and estimated costs for the design and construction of a new multi -use court at Hickory Park and provide direction regarding project funding and community engagement strategies.
ATTACHMENT
1. Hickory Park Proposed Multi-Use Court Concept Rendering 4 ATTACHMENT 1
Hickory Park
Proposed Multi-Use Court Concept Rendering
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