Tennis & Pickleball Contractor

The City of Long Beach Department of Financial Management withdrew RFP PR-23-297 for Tennis & Pickleball Center Contractor services effective August 27, 2024, after receiving proposals on April 24, 2024, to enhance fairness and transparency by updating selection criteria. The City intends to issue a new RFP and encourages all previous proposers to resubmit.

The original opportunity sought a single contractor (with option for multiple awards) to operate, manage, and maintain two municipal facilities for ten years with options to renew for two additional five-year periods not to exceed twenty years total: Billie Jean King Tennis Center (eight lighted courts including one dual-striped court converting to four pickleball courts, 2,000 square-foot pro shop, championship courts with bleachers, 1040 Park Avenue) and El Dorado Tennis Center (15 lighted courts with two dual-striped courts providing eight pickleball courts, 12-by-60-foot trailer office, 2800 Studebaker Road). The contractor must operate pro shops, manage court reservations, organize league play and USTA tournaments, provide instruction for all ages and ability levels, and coordinate events to increase participation.

Minimum qualifications include at least three years of continuous experience operating a tennis and pickleball center, five references preferably from other municipalities, a comprehensive business plan with five-year pro forma projections, demonstrated adequate capital reserves, required insurance (commercial general liability $2 million per occurrence / $4 million aggregate, workers' compensation $1 million, commercial automobile liability $500,000, all-risk property insurance at full replacement value, commercial crime coverage $25,000 or maximum funds held), and one full-time on-site staff member during operating hours. The contractor must charge competitive court fees and instruction rates approved by the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Director and provide free court time to students seventeen or younger and seniors sixty-five or older Monday–Friday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The City covers water, sewer, and trash removal; the contractor covers phone, internet, electricity (estimated $31,000 annually), and gas ($440 annually). The contractor pays the greater of a percentage of gross receipts or an annual minimum rent to be negotiated. Historical gross receipts for both facilities combined ranged from $530,287.97 in 2019 to $833,171.54 in 2023. The current operator, Bridge Enterprises, Inc., held the lease since November 1, 2021, expiring December 31, 2024. Contractors must comply with City of Long Beach Equal Benefits Ordinance requirements for contracts valued at $100,000 or more or property leases generating $350,000 or more in annual gross receipts. The City maintains a Tennis Trust Account for capital improvements subject to California prevailing wage requirements and potentially the City's Project Labor Agreement.