GULF SHORES — A joint effort by the city of Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism to enhance local recreation and sports tourism will bring 12 new pickleball courts to the area.

The Gulf Shores City Council voted Monday, May 9, to approve a contract with American Tennis Courts to build the courts with Musco Lighting at a cost of $744,369. The city also approved $36,000 in landscaping for the project.

Marc Acreman, city engineer, said at a council work session May 2 that the cost of the project will be split between the city and Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism.

"I know we're going to get a lot of use," Acreman said. "We have a lot of pressure on our current tennis courts."

Beth Gendler, director of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism, said the project will benefit local recreation and tourism.

"We're just excited about the opportunity for both residential play and sports tourism," she said. "Pickleball is the number one growing sport in the United States."

Acreman said the new courts will be constructed at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex next to the main public parking lot for the home field of the football stadium.

The city had budgeted $600,000 for the project. American Tennis Courts was the only bidder. The company's bid for six courts was $516,557. The total submission for 12 courts with Musco Lighting was $952,484.

Acreman said city officials were able to negotiate with the company to bring down the price.

"We got it down to $744,369 by doing some minor tweaks to the configuration and doing some VE (value engineering) on the actual court buildup," Acreman said. "We were also able to streamline the lighting package and by doing that we were able to upgrade to the Musco Lighting for just slightly over what just was for six courts."