There have been a few “hiccups,” but a $5.25 million project to improve school athletic facilities remains on track.
That was part of the report delivered to school board members Monday during a brief study session and subsequent special meeting.
During the special session, board members approved a series of change orders that added $13,966 in net costs to the project.
But despite those changes, a budget worksheet distributed at the meeting showed that a contingency fund associated with the project remained healthy - with $456,451 remaining.
Contractors have been on site for much of the summer, but some work around the baseball field has slowed because of the discovery of some contaminated soil, associated testing, and subsequent plans to remove it.
That has prompted some delays, particularly on the construction of a new concession stand and restroom building that will go between the baseball and softball fields.
One of the most visible components of the project is the ongoing work at the softball and baseball facilities.
New sod has been placed on the softball field as well as a walkway that will improve accessibility to the area.
Fencing and a new scoreboard are also part of the project, as well as new bleachers both near home plate and the infield as well as a set in the outfield, near the new concession area.
Renovations to the baseball field including leveling and new sod for the playing surface, a paved pavilion and viewing deck on the first base side and new batting cages.
Jason Chopp of engineering firm SEH was on hand to address both the progress of the project and the change orders on Monday.
The change orders encompassed about $9,400 in additional work on gymnasium ceiling improvements, some underground electrical work and additional netting foundations for the baseball field, and additional pier repairs at the ice arena.
Overall, the work totaled about $36,000, but was offset partially by roughly $23,000 in savings realized in other areas of the project.
Thanks to action by the Minnesota Legislature, the school has $5.25 million to spend on the improvements, but set-asides for soft costs including payment to SEH as well as a 10 percent contingency leave about $4 million to be spent on construction.
Before the change orders, the board approves spending $3,912,880 on a package recommended by school administrators and the district’s facilities committee, and approved by the board in May.
Max Gray Construction submitted a low bid of $6,547,000 for the project, but school officials later trimmed about $2.6 million worth of work to keep the project within budget.
Remaining in the package are various upgrades to the ice arena including structural, accessibility and locker room heating system improvements, as well as
• Handicap accessibility including a ramp at the football stadium as well as upgrades for track team practices.
• Gymnasium upgrades including plaster repair and an acoustic ceiling.
The gymnasium was declared ready for occupancy at midweek and will allow Ely’s high school volleyball team to open its season at home, against Deer River, on Monday night.
In another athletics-related matter, board members briefly discussed setting a school policy that because of the switch to a four-day week, school would remain in session even if an Ely team were to qualify for a state tournament.
School has been canceled in Ely previously when the volleyball team made the state tournament, and when the football team reached the state semifinals.
If adopted by the board, the policy would declare that school would remain in session, but any student wishing to attend a state tournament contest would be excused from school.
