USD 408 ready to finalize building project almost years ago
Staff reporter
It appears Marion/Florence USD #408 board of education has maneuvered that hairpin curve of a budget for the building project, and is on the straight-away — heading for the finish line.
The board didn't officially make any decisions Monday but seems to have come to a consensus about what to cut to balance the $9 million budget for a sports center/indoor swimming pool, and auditorium.
Architect Greg Tice of Spangenberg Phillips Architecture, announced he had a plan that meets the district's budget.
By making moderate concessions, the board should be able to come to a strong enough consensus at its next meeting to finalize the budget and begin the project.
A major change in the gymnasium plans was eliminating 15 rows of bleachers on each side and adding mezzanine seating on the upper level. By doing that, the depth of the building's foundation would be reduced.
On the lower level, under the mezzanine, a wrestling practice room could be located.
Board members liked the idea because it won't make the gym feel "so empty" for regular games but would still have the capacity available for regional and state tournaments.
The original plans called for 2,000 seats, approximately 1,000 more than the current gym. In order to host the larger tournaments, seating for 1,500 to 2,000 is necessary.
Another significant change was the construction of the pool roof from pre-cast concrete to steel construction.
Board member Chris Sprowls asked if there were maintenance issues with a metal roof.
Tice responded that a pool in Hutchinson has a steel roof that was installed 10 years ago, inspected annually, and doesn't have significant problems.
"As long as the ceiling is sealed correctly, there is no issue," Tice said. He added there would be better acoustics with a steel roof than pre-cast.
The project was at $9.26 million with a $440,000 contingency for unexpected expenses. Tice said the budget ideally needed to be at $9 million with the contingency.
Approximately $120,000 could be cut from the cost of the gym if a locker room and bathrooms were grouped together and the commons area reduced in size. If a suspended ceiling and metal structure were used for the pool, that would be an additional $100,000 savings. The exterior of the pool would have brick masonry.
With the proposed cuts and adjustments, the project then would be where it needed to be.
Tice reported he had talked with the state architect regarding the type of elevator required in the gym. It was recommended a "limited use" elevator would be appropriate and would save the district additional funds.
Handicapped individuals would enter the top-loading gym and have special seating available at the top of the gym. The elevator would provide access for the disabled to the gym floor and lower level where the wrestling practice room and locker rooms would be located.
The board discussed options of the use of the court for volleyball matches. Tice suggested the mezzanine be located on the southeast side of the building which would allow room for expansion on the front of the building for a wellness center with separate, outdoor access.
The board also determined a band room and set design storage area were not necessary in the auditorium. A choral music room, changing areas, and bathrooms will be included in the auditorium design.
"Why duplicate what we already have?" Sprowls asked, referring to an adequate band room located in the high school.
The exterior of the auditorium can have slanted roof lines to add dimensions to the building, to make it less "institutional."
Board president Rex Savage suggested the high school construction class build a storage area for set design near the auditorium.
Board member Keith Collett suggested trading changing cubicles for sinks.
The board will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the central office. Tice is to bring a more precise budget for the changes and the board will need to make final decisions.
Even though this process has taken longer than anticipated, it has been productive, Leiker said. Without the delays, Leiker said some ideas would not have been explored.
At Monday's meeting the board will narrow down its options, determine the budget, and hopefully give the green light for the project, Leiker said.
