Board approves $1,004,663 GMP with Lingo Construction for track resurfacing and site work

The Bethany Public Schools Board of Education on May 20 voted to accept a guaranteed maximum price of $1,004,663 from Lingo Construction for Phase 1 work to resurface the high school track, install concrete curbing and perimeter fencing, and prepare pads for future bleachers.

The project covered by the GMP calls for removing about four inches of the existing track surfacing and asphalt underlayment, selective excavation in uneven areas, installation of a new synthetic track surface (the district selected a higher-performance option from GeoSurfaces), concrete curbing to retain the track material, perimeter fencing where needed to separate athletes and visitors, and expanded concrete pads on the home and south visitor sides to accommodate future bleachers. A construction representative who presented the item for Lingo said, “The anticipated date is August 8,” and that the district expects most work to be complete by the start of the school year, with some loose ends possible after reopening.

Why it matters: the presenter said the existing track showed cracking and edge failures that the new curbing and deeper removal aim to fix. The board and administration emphasized performing the track work now while preserving options for future seating and a possible partnership with SNU to host some home soccer matches at the university’s field.

During discussion, Dr. Phyllis (district administration) described efforts to build flexibility into the bids so the board could defer or scale bleacher spending depending on results of talks with SNU about turf and field sharing; she said the district “definitely need[s] to do” the resurfacing but that bleacher scope could change if a partnership reduces the district’s need for large permanent stands. The presentation noted the concession renovation was put on hold because of cost considerations.

Board members asked for specifics about the curbing dimensions, placement and the run of two to four feet between the outside lane and fencing to provide clearance for athletes. The presenter described the curbing as roughly six inches wide and about 12 inches deep on the inside curve and said the design transitions to sidewalk curb on the outside. He also described three surface-level options the bidders priced and said the district selected the third option for a balance of performance and cost because GeoSurfaces’ price made that option feasible.

Cost context: the presenter reported subcontract totals and line items that roll into larger project totals; he said subcontract values summed to roughly $872,000 (subcontract total described in meeting), with additional construction management, permits, insurance, a contingency (approximately 3 percent), and a construction management fee (about 5 percent) included in broader budgeting. When those line items were rolled into the overall project estimate the presenter said the district’s current position is roughly 1.186 on the district’s internal budget metric and that the package provides about $300,000 in negotiating margin if the board pursues additional work or SNU-related expenses.

Formal action: a motion to approve the GMP from Lingo Construction passed on a roll-call vote; Board member Palmer and other members voted yes (roll-call recorded yes votes from Palmer, Walstead, Yates, Pettit, Jaggers). The board’s vote authorized the district to move forward with contracting and scheduling for the Phase 1 resurfacing work and related site improvements.

Next steps: the presenters said remaining bleacher pricing (Phase 1b) will return to the board at the second June meeting with multiple options ranging from a base bid that shifts existing bleachers to new steel or aluminum bleachers and potential press-box relocation. If the board and the district finalize a partnership with SNU for soccer and turf, the district indicated it could shift some funds that would otherwise pay for large permanent bleachers toward turf work or retain smaller, temporary visitor seating.

Sources: presentation and discussion at the Bethany Public Schools board meeting; board roll-call recorded at the meeting.