The Hammond Redevelopment Commission on May 6 approved three change orders for the Hammond Sportsplex renovation and expansion project, authorizing small net increases to contracts and work to protect a forthcoming hardwood floor and to accommodate championship volleyball courts.

The changes include a $4,000 net increase for additional earthwork from Grimmer Construction Inc., a $6,404.35 change to add eight floor sleeves for tournament volleyball posts, and a $2,898 net increase to apply a moisture-sealing surface treatment to concrete underlay to protect the hardwood floor.

Commission staff and the construction manager said the earthwork cost arose after plans required the floor to be lowered about two inches across the playing surface to allow the hardwood floor to sit level with adjacent circulation areas; Grimmer’s low quote was $69,000 against a $65,000 allowance. The construction manager said the $4,000 delta is within the project contingency. The $6,404.35 work will add sleeves where championship-level net posts can be placed; staff recommended temporary striping for championship layouts to avoid two permanent, overlapping court lines. The $2,898 net increase follows a larger $12,120 proposed treatment offset in part by a prior $9,600 saving from leaving a stretch of perimeter concrete in place, producing the stated net.

Commissioners were told the Sportsplex project is a more-than $9 million effort and that the change orders will be paid from the project contingency. Staff said the contingency was about $270,000 when discussed and that these changes remain covered. Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions during the votes.

For each change order the commission recorded a motion and roll-call vote. Change order number 3 (earthwork) was moved by Commissioner Shelton and seconded by Commissioner Kobaki and passed 5–0. Change order number 4 (floor sleeves) was moved by Commissioner Kobaki, seconded by Commissioner Tomage and passed 5–0. Change order number 5 (surface sealant) was moved by Commissioner Myrick, seconded by Commissioner Kobaki and passed 5–0.

The construction manager said most heavy work on the Sportsplex is complete and that remaining items include exterior work such as outdoor volleyball courts and finishing the interior flooring installation. The commission did not set new deadlines or additional reporting requirements when it approved the change orders.