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School building project is $500,000 over budget years ago

Staff reporter

Following more than an hour of looking at color tiles and carpet samples Monday evening, architect Greg Tice broke the bad news to USD #408 board members that the school buildings project was $500,000 over budget and the features that made this project unique may have to be eliminated.

Board vice president Chris Sprowls said he was concerned about the elimination of a top-entry gymnasium and board members agreed that they hated to lose that feature.

"This changed drastically," he said. "People are going to be upset."

Tice said he didn't see it as a "big deal."

The consensus of the board appeared to be that one of the major "selling points" of the gymnasium project was an elevated or a top loading main entry to the gym. Instead of being ground level, the entry would be at the top of the bleachers.

Tice said the district could save $500,000 by not doing the top-loading aspect.

Tice presented these other cost-reduction ideas:

At the sports and wellness center, change the gym to a slab on a grade structure. Tice noted the quality of the dirt and rock issues could drive up the cost of a "sunken" gymnasium. Having the gym ground level would eliminate five stairs, reduce square footage, and exit issues. It also would create a lighter structure which would omit tall basement walls.

The running track could be around the perimeter, behind the bleachers. Block walls could be omitted behind the bleachers which would leave the back of the bleachers open.

The locker rooms could be moved to the area where wrestling and fitness areas were previously located, said Tice, and change to a steel structure with metal stud framed walls.

Tice said another way to reduce costs on the pool could be to change from an acoustical deck to a regular deck, omit the pool slide which would save $100,000, paint the pool instead of installing tile which costs $160,000, the pool deck could be exposed concrete instead of tile, reduce deck area around the pool, no paint on the pool ceiling, and revise the entry to reduce veneer.

"We could bid out and see where we end up," Tice said.

He added he did not want to eliminate the tiles in the pool area because of maintenance costs associated with painting the pool every three to five years which would mean the pool would be closed for three to four weeks.

The auditorium structure could be changed to a steel structure with metal stud framing, change interior walls to metal stud framing instead of masonry, reduce masonry veneer on exterior, use metal panel or stucco in less visible areas, and omit casework. Tice suggested a high school woodworking class could provide the cases and carpentry work.

As the bombshell was dropped on the board, Tice added that a solid budget had not been devised but he wanted to be up-front with the board and make them aware of the situation.

He blamed inflation for part of the increased costs saying inflation was at three percent in past years but last year inflation was 17 percent for building materials.

Tice also said the square footage of the sports and wellness center had been increased which increased costs.

"It's going to be tough to pull out $500,000 someplace else," Sprowls said. "This is a lot different than what we sold the voters on."

On a lighter note, designer Gina Loomis presented interior color schemes for the three facilities.

The commons area or entry way for the gymnasium and indoor pool could be light and dark shades of gray.

Red and blue ceramic tiles with neutral accents could be used around the pool. A turquoise tile would add interest, said Loomis.

The special tile is designed to repel odors, stains, algae growth, and would keep dirt and bacteria from growing.

"This would keep down maintenance costs and keep area free of bacteria," Loomis said.

An epoxy grout could be used to discourage mold and bacteria.

Ceramic tiles of similar color could be used in the bathrooms and showers.

Loomis said the obvious choice for the gymnasium seating would be school colors red and blue with a neutral color.

She suggested a dark red, with blues, blacks, and grays.

MHS letters would be a part of the bleachers when folded or pulled out. Neutral colors would be used for walls and ceilings.

The bleacher perimeter could have a blue, rubber-track flooring or a carpet tile could be used instead of the rubber track.

The rubber flooring would be a low maintenance product, Loomis said.

A heavier rubber flooring could be used in the weight room.

Sealed concrete alone or with a floor covering could be used in the locker rooms with floor covering in shower areas.

To reduce the cost of ceramic tiles in the locker rooms, paint and art on the walls could add interest at a lower price.

The gym floor would be wood with a painted warrior head in the center. The upper part of the gym walls could be neutral for banners and awards.

A parquet gym floor, which is considerably more expensive, also could be used, Loomis said.

Board member Kathy Meierhoff asked if the board decided to go with any chairs or backs on the bleachers. Tice said no, all seating would be bleachers with no individual backs.

The auditorium design would have two stage entrances from the front seating. One would be handicapped accessible. This would allow ease of flow for award ceremonies, etc., when people would enter one side of the stage and exit the other.

There would be two doors for the band room with one being an outside exit.

Bathrooms also would be installed near the stage for performers.

Loomis said instead of using school colors, perhaps a more sophisticated, up-scaled appearance would be better.

She showed the board broadloom carpet samples of a burgundy red print carpet for the lobby area.

Vinyl wall covering of beige and gray with a dark red as accents were shown. A theatrical consultant will provide advice regarding acoustic issues.

The seats could be gray with black. The stage curtain could a dark red.

Porcelain tile could be used in the bathrooms.

To reduce costs, a painted wall could achieve a similar color effect as wall covering, Loomis said.

Construction of the auditorium could take eight to 10 months and construction for the gym and pool could take 10 to 12 months. Both projects would be completed at the same time.

A special meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the central office to further discuss options with more budget details being presented by Tice at that time.

The annual budget hearing will be held at 6 p.m.

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