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Board approves $2.8 million bid for Moorhead High School phase-2 athletic complex (softball fields)
Summary
Trustees approved bid group 2 for the Moorhead High School athletic complex — phase 2 (softball fields and associated site work) — after staff reported bids came in substantially below estimate and identified funding from remaining construction dollars and lease-levy capacity.
The Moorhead Area Public Schools Board on Feb. 10 approved the contract award for bid group 2 of the Moorhead High School athletic complex, covering the softball fields and related site work, with the recommended package totaling $2,805,498.14 including alternates.
Steve Moore, who presented the history and funding context for the athletic-complex phases, told the board the complex had been phased after the original construction scope was adjusted earlier in the program. He said phase 1 (track elements) was completed in October 2024; phase 2 addresses softball fields; phase 3 will include the baseball/multipurpose field and amenities and is intended to be funded primarily by donations.
“...we put the package out to bid and the good news is, is it came back at about 30% less than the estimate,” Moore told the board, explaining the favorable bid climate. The recommended motion approved the base bid and alternates (including dugouts and additional sidewalks and a main-field logo) for a total of $2,805,498.14.
Moore and board members discussed funding constraints and permissible uses. Moore said phase-2 funding will come from remaining construction contract dollars and lease-levy capacity; he cautioned that construction and lease-levy dollars are restricted to capital and facility purposes and cannot be used for salaries or general operations. When asked whether the lease-levy funds could be used for a secure entrance at Probst Field, staff replied that construction funds tied to the MHS project could not be used but a separate lease-levy project could be considered. The transcript shows a lease-levy capacity figure of about $212 per pupil unit and an available lease-levy portion of approximately $1,500,000.
Board members asked about potential revenue uses of the field (leasing for events or summer programs) and sponsorship/ad revenue for scoreboards; staff said the fields have flexible potential and that sponsorship arrangements were not currently included in the bid.
The board approved the bid package. The motion to accept the $2,805,498.14 total bid (including alternates) was moved by Dave and seconded by Cassidy; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
