Coolidge hired a hometown crew to pour the Regional Park courts

The Coolidge City Council approved an agreement Monday with Ramirez Custom Concrete LLC to pour roughly 9,900 square feet of concrete for the new basketball courts at Regional Park, for $89,100, the Coolidge Examiner reports. Staff asked to waive the usual sealed-bid process because the state contract price would have cost about $40,000 more, and Parks and Recreation Director Ricky LaPaglia said that in 17 years as director he could not remember making that request before. The plan is two courts, larger than the courts at the city's other parks, with an option to add a third later. Surfacing, hoops and lighting bring the full price above $175,000, and Arizona Public Service granted the city $150,000 toward the park as part of a beautification project. Owner Art Ramirez, who lives in Coolidge, said he tries to help out when he can because he knows all these people.