SANDPOINT — The Parks and Recreation Commission has tasked the department with prioritizing improving the city’s basketball courts in 2026.

After a ranking exercise at the commission’s previous meetings, Planning and Development Director Jason Welker revealed that the commissioners overwhelmingly supported renovations of the courts at Pine Street Park and City Beach. Welker said it would cost around $100,000 to completely renovate all four courts. 

“So, focusing on the existing basketball courts that we have, I think I'm confident that we could get all four basketball courts basically completely rehabbed,” Welker said. “I'm excited. I think this is a really cool project that we can deliver by spring [2026].” 

The updates to the courts would see the surfaces being completely repaved with 2 inches of new asphalt and new baskets. Commissioners liked the idea of improving the courts and playing experience for the users. 

“Racquet sports have had their moment, we’ve done some cool thing for volleyball, I think it’s basketball’s time,” Commissioner Lori Siemers said. 

Coming in second on the commission’s priority list was adding non-motorized kayak and paddle board storage at City Beach. Welker said he has not had the time to properly investigate but would bring a report to a future commission meeting. 

The final item on the list was an expansion of the Euclid Avenue right of way, which the city owns. Welker said the park's capital improvement fund does not have the capacity in 2026 to commit to any projects, but that staff would look into a potential plan for the property. 

The potential project would see the area that’s currently being maintained by a resident being transformed into a small community park with access to Lake Pend Oreille. 

“It's important to have a plan concept for how we might activate that space,” Welker said. “We could use any sort of concept that we develop for grant writing purposes or to present a funding request to city council.” 

At the Wednesday meeting, Welker also shared clarification on the RV Park and Averill Hospitality situation. Welker said the commission is planning to set a date for the open house regarding the land during its December meeting. 

As for the $950,000 grant from Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation that the city received to renovate the RV Park, Welker said it would not be in danger until next May or June. However, if the council does decide against an RV Park, Welker said the grant will be forgone. 

Regardless of the decision, Welker suggested the city’s parks master plan be amended to more accurately reflect the city’s current position. 

“One thing to keep in mind about these master plans is that these are long-term visions, and when funding is available for components, we implement components,” Welker said. “But if funding is not available for a component, we look at maintaining the assets that we have in our parks.” 

Commissioner Gwen Victorson said she liked the master plans, which do not feature an RV Park at the current location, during the RV Park grant process. However, she said if there weren’t going to be funds, the commission agreed the city needed to take care of and improve what it has. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission's next scheduled meeting will take place Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers at City Hall.