December 17, 2014 at 4:56 p.m.
Plan for stadium improvements moves forward
Plan for stadium improvements moves forward
Fundraising efforts by the Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) are already under way, but in order to kick-start those efforts into high gear, specific costs for each part of the project must be identified.
The district's Capital Projects Ad Hoc Committee on Monday took a step forward toward gathering that information by approving a contract with Point of Beginning for design and construction services. Later the same evening, the school board also gave its blessing.
The cost of the services is not to exceed $34,250.
The planned improvements - including widening the track to include a soccer field, a new concession stand and entryway, an outdoor classroom, new team rooms and more - are being considered in phases as all of the money to pay for each individual project will need to come from outside sources.
The only project that has officially been green-lighted is the resurfacing of the track, for which the board has set aside approximately $170,000.
That does not include widening the track, estimated to cost just under $300,000, meaning HSF has its work cut out for it in terms of fundraising to pay for widening the track and the other improvements.
At this point, HSF has raised approximately $95,000 for the improvements, according to school board member Mike Roberts. It would like more specific cost information for the projects, however, which fits in with contracting for the design and construction services.
"This is the next step in the process for the redevelopment for the Mike Webster Stadium and track. We approved the feasibility study and this is for design and development of the plans and the construction documents which all need to be done in order to begin work of any kind," he said.
"One thing that we've asked them to do is to make sure that it's a modular design project so that, depending on how much money we raise, we can get as much done as possible."
"The hope is that we can maybe raise another $200,000 to $500,000," he added.
"There's a laundry list of things we can do out there, so the more money we raise, the more we can check off and get done out there."
Much of what happens will depend on what is done with the track.
"The idea is to get the track widened so it can set us up for the future, but if we don't come up with enough money to do that or the board chooses not to do that, then we just resurface the track and maybe do a couple of the other projects out there," Roberts said.
"We'll have to make that decision at that time, but it's important to get the designs completed and get it bid out."
The hope is to send out requests for bids early in February. Once the bids are received, the district and HSF will have a better idea on the cost of each project compared to the estimated costs outlined in the feasibility study.
"The Hodag Schools Foundation is kind of waiting for us to finalize the (design and construction documents) and the plans for the stadium," Roberts said.
"There are a number of people and groups that have expressed interest, they just want to see a clearer picture of what and how their money will be spent. There is interest out there to help."
The bids may also identify another source of funding for the projects - in kind donations.
"Those real costs (outlined in the bids) could also include in kind donations from contractors," Roberts explained.
"That's another key piece from this. Some contractors have talked about the potential for in kind donations, but they need to see actual construction documents before they can determine what they can do or how much they can put in that way. The only way to get that number is through this process."
Furthermore, the documents will allow the board to identify what it will be able to afford after the fundraising is complete.
"This will help the board when we get to the point of talking money," Superintendent Kelli Jacobi said.
"With private donations, if there are a lot of them and we can afford to (widen the track), here's the plan and if we can't, we'll have a plan outlining the minimum we can do."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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