The City Council on Monday awarded a contract for the construction of four pickleball courts at Schmoker Family Park along North 32nd Street.

The courts are expected to be completed by June 2024, according to Lori Branderhorst, the city’s director of parks, recreation and forestry.

“Obviously, this is a great thing moving forward,” Councilman Cameron Nelson said.

The council voted unanimously to hire Minturn Inc., of Brooklyn, to build the courts at a cost of $304,882.

Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, submitted the only other bid of $407,166.

Branderhorst said the courts will be north of the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center and east of the picnic shelter and playground equipment. She said a 4-foot-tall fence separating the two sets of courts will be added later.

Pickleball is similar to tennis, except it is played with solid paddles and a wiffle ball. A pickleball court measures 22 feet by 44 feet.

Fort Dodge does not have a true pickleball court. The game is now played on the basketball courts at Dodger Courts.

Pickleball players have been asking the council for purpose-built courts for at least a year.

In another parks-related matter, the council hired Snyder & Associates, of Ankeny, to design new basketball courts for H.C. Meriwether Park on 10th Avenue Southwest at a cost of $26,000. The new courts are expected to be built next year.