Monroe County commissioners unanimously approved three construction change orders for the Cars Athletic Complex on May 1, adding $114,723.47 to Contract 1 to cover unanticipated storm drainage work and reassigning existing allowances to pay for additional earthwork and electrical and rock-removal costs.

Andy Knoots, the project engineer and project manager with Bledsoe Rigor Cooper James, told the Monroe County Board of Commissioners during a work session that crews found additional drainage flowing through a 24-inch culvert under the nearby railroad track and into the area between the dog park and the soccer fields. That discovery prompted a change order for additional storm drainage infrastructure; the Parks Board has agreed to provide the funds to pay that increase.

Knoots said a second change order reallocates money already in Contract 1: crews uncovered more topsoil on fields than expected, so rather than import topsoil for later phases the team will stockpile the on-site topsoil for use on Fields 6 and 7 and use the contract allowance instead to import firm clay for the synthetic-turf fields. County staff said that reassignment produces no net increase to Contract 1. A third change order, applied to Contract 2, documented rock removal and added electrical work; those costs will be paid from contingency or existing allowances in Contract 2, with no net contract increase, Knoots said.

Commissioners approved the three items in a single motion and vote. The motion listed the funding source for the $114,723.47 increase as Fund 1000, County General Parks, Parks Non-Reverting 11781179; the board voted “aye,” and the motion carried 3-0.

Project staff said Reed & Sons Construction has been onsite for months installing utilities, storm drainage and electrical work. Knoots said the project team hopes to reach the current substantial-completion date of Oct. 1, when synthetic turf work is expected to be finished and new sod installed on Fields 6 and 7. County staff cautioned the sod will not be ready for public use until the following spring to allow rooting and establishment. Knoots also noted new light poles are already installed on the fields; Cassidy Electric is completing conduits and wiring, and Custer Electric is expected to perform additional lighting work in June.

The board did not modify the project schedule at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to continue oversight and to provide the change-order documents to the board. No public comment was offered on the item.

Next steps for the project are continued construction through the summer; staff said they will monitor weather impacts and notify the board if additional changes become necessary.