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Tab High geothermal plan dropped after bids double estimate; auditorium, turf and LED work planned
Summary
Capital projects update: Tab High geothermal well-field bids came in about double estimates, so district halted geothermal scope and will emphasize roof solar and scope reductions; auditorium refreshes, field turf installation, and LED conversions proceed.
York County School Division staff told the board on May 12 that several capital projects are moving forward while one planned energy project has been removed after construction bids far exceeded estimates.
Assistant Superintendent Doctor Carroll reported that Bruton High School roof repairs and final touches are nearly complete and that secondary school auditorium refreshes (curtains, seats, soundboards, stage and house lighting, flooring and ADA work) are ordered and scheduled to start June 16 with completion expected before school resumes.
At Tabb High School, staff completed an artificial-turf field installation and are soliciting bids for lighting and pricing fencing. Carroll said students are already using the field. The district has awarded the A&E design contract for Tabb High additions and renovations and is discussing scope reductions with the design team to control costs.
Carroll said the district had pursued a geothermal well-field for the Tabb project, but bids for well-field installation arrived at roughly double the engineer’s estimate. “We made the decision we are gonna abandon geothermal on that project,” Carroll said. He explained the change removes an estimated $2.5 million from the project cost; without geothermal, the division plans to include rooftop solar in the design to pursue some energy savings.
Why it matters: abandoning the geothermal well-field reduces upfront capital costs but also removes projected operating-cost savings that geothermal might have provided. Carroll said designers will seek other cost-lowering choices while including roof-mounted solar where feasible.
Other project notes: the LED lighting conversion is out to bid; a small remaining issue at Bruton High involves two fabricated ladders that must be corrected and installed. Carroll invited board questions and said the geothermal capability could be designed for future installation if cost conditions change.
Ending: staff will continue design work for Tabb High renovations with scope adjustments to control total cost and pursue solar and LED improvements in lieu of geothermal at this time.
