Rainier Vista Park improvements reach 90 percent of planning stage 

The City of Lacey is preparing Rainier Vista Park’s recreation improvements for permitting after completing another planning milestone.

Construction is scheduled for summer 2027, with the new pickleball courts targeted to open in fall 2027.

Lacey Project Manager Bogdan Tirtu presented a 90 percent complete plan to the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Board at a meeting on Aug. 5, which came after the board’s unanimous approval of the initial concept in April. 

Senior Parks Planner Jenny Wilson said no action was needed from the board because the project scope remains largely unchanged.

"There hasn't been significant changes to the project scope, so we're just kind of giving you an update," Wilson said. "From here, we'll keep you updated on the project, including any changes that we might need to make because of the budget." 

The project remains within its $919,618 budget. Funding includes $500,000 from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, $25,000 from Thurston County Pickleball Association and $5,000 from PARC Foundation of Thurston County. 

The JOLT reported in April that the board unanimously approved the concept and recommended advancing the project after staff identified growing demand for pickleball and recurring safety conflicts between Field 1 and adjacent courts. The earlier plan identified Rainier Vista Park as the preferred location based on its tournament history and active player base. 

Several details have since changed as planning progressed. 

Site revisions 

The project still calls for four pickleball courts, including three standard courts and a larger championship court that can accommodate wheelchair play and tournaments. 

Tirtu said staff relocated two outdoor pingpong tables closer to the existing pickleball courts after finding the previous location could still leave them exposed to errant baseballs. 

"Previously, we had a little bit of concern about errant balls still finding their way to the pingpong tables, so we kind of scooted them a little bit closer to the existing forts," Tirtu said.

"Now those pingpong tables have really good protection with the new fencing. It also geometrically just lays out really well, putting them to that corner of the existing pickleball courts." 

Spectator bleachers were also relocated closer to the championship court, and three benches were added for players waiting to use the courts.

Fencing around the championship court will be 4 feet high on the sides and 8 feet high at the north and south ends. Windscreens are also planned for the new courts. 

Drainage work has advanced since April. Plans now include underdrains and flat drains to collect water from soggy areas near the pickleball courts and send it through a conveyance system to the park’s stormwater pond. 

Updated costs 

The estimated base construction cost is now $711,075, down from the $731,264 estimate presented in April. Tirtu attributed much of the reduction to updated estimates for stormwater work. 

Adding a $75,000 construction contingency raises the estimate to $786,075. The contingency accounts for unforeseen conditions during construction. 

However, available funding is not expected to cover the full, 40-foot high ballfield safety netting. The base bid includes half of the netting at an estimated $186,000, while the remaining portion is a $156,575 alternative bid item that could be added if bids are low enough. 

“Unfortunately, at this time, it is not expected that bids will come in low enough to include the full perimeter netting into the project,” Tirtu said. “But we do have it stopping at a post, so we can add that on as we get funding in the future.” 

Construction timeline 

Staff plans to review the 90 percent plan over two weeks before advancing the permitting and final construction documents. The final plan and permitting are scheduled for January 2027, followed by bidding in February. 

Construction is scheduled for summer 2027 and would begin after the park’s July 3 event, so the park remains available for its busiest annual event. 

Tirtu said the city hopes to open the new courts in October 2027 before the rainy season begins.