Agenda

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13.

City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

06/25/2019

BACKGROUND

Staff started to notice some failures in the metal the basketball goals hung from and had one break and fall. Staff brought in a structural engineer to evaluate the situation as it appeared some of the roof beams may be damaged. The structural engineer’s report cited that the structure wasn’t likely engineered to hold hanging basketball goals, and recommended we not add any additional weight to the roof structure. Our original plans to add new retractable goals was then halted.
Since it was in the engineer’s opinion that the goals had been up in their current condition for many years they would probably be fine going back up as they were but raised in height (previously they weren’t at regulation height so everyone was dunking on them.) This would eliminate some of the wear and tear which ultimately results in metal fatigue.
Staff proceeded with repairing the goals and asked the structural engineer to assess the repaired condition. As part of that review they had a specialist look at the welds and they did not pass the inspection. Since the original engineer’s assessment did not confirm that the integrity of the roof could indeed hold the weight, and ultimately the installation of these goals were not done in a manner that follows best practices, staff is not recommending that we continue to invest money in ceiling-mounted basketball goals.
Staff is going to proceed with installing new post-mounted basketball goals that have fiberglass backboards and breakaway rims (current backboards are metal welded to metal which doesn’t give and throws off the shot) and the breakaway rims will hinder excessive dunking and prolong the life of the goals. The goals will be installed under the pavilion in the concrete (like was there many years ago.) The plan is to install them at the edge of the slab and/or mount them in a sleeve so they are removable, so as not to interfere with special events that are hosted at this multi-purpose facility.

GOAL

The goal is to install basketball goals back at Pickrell Park in a cost-effective and safe manner.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

The new basketball goals will provide a shaded basketball court for the central Schertz area and bring back a heavily used feature at Pickrell Park.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

Staff is going to proceed with installing new post-mounted basketball goals that have fiberglass backboards and breakaway rims (current backboards are metal welded to metal which doesn’t give and throws off the shot) and the breakaway rims will hinder excessive dunking and prolong the life of the goals. The goals will be installed under the pavilion in the concrete (like was there many years ago.) The plan is to install them at the edge of the slab and/or mount them in a sleeve so they are removable, so as not to interfere with special events that are hosted at this multi-purpose facility.

FISCAL IMPACT

Four new basketball goals will cost approximately $4,000

RECOMMENDATION