EAGLE PASS ISD project architect outlines delays and timelines for bleacher covers, new track and campus buildings

EAGLE PASS ISD trustees heard a detailed progress report on district construction projects from project architect Davis Powell during their Feb. 11, 2025, regular meeting.

Powell told the board the Student Activity Center bleacher-cover projects for baseball and softball have experienced delays after concrete testing showed the material "was not performing as was specified," requiring further testing and redesigned footings. "Because of the complexity and substantial nature of this structure, everything is cantilevered," Powell said, noting work at the softball stadium has resumed but further work at the baseball stadium is on hold until the season ends. He estimated the project's completion in October 2025.

The presentation covered several additional projects: - Counseling office remodel at Eagle Pass High School (contractor: Frontera Construction): Contract amount $1,300,000; Powell said the work could finish this month or in March depending on elevator installation, which was delayed for missing parts but had arrived. The remodel includes an elevator lobby and separate entrance into the counseling area. - Eagle Pass High track relocation (contractor: JP Sanchez): Powell said the project’s total had risen to $6,320,000 after change orders; the district expects the track to be usable in August 2025, with some building finish work possibly extending into September or October. - High school cross-country trails (contractor: RKW Landscaping): Contract amount $518,050; estimated completion April 2025. Powell said the trail system provides a 5-foot-wide running surface around high school perimeters but said a section will be adjusted to avoid conflict with football practice areas and other ongoing construction. - High school food-service remodel (contractor: Frontera Construction): Construction contract $2,100,000; kitchen construction component expected online in March 2025 pending equipment deliveries funded by a separate contract and federal grants for equipment and finishes. - High school multipurpose building (contractor: JP Sanchez): Contract amount $4,950,000 for a 10,700-square-foot building for dance and cheer teams, with estimated completion in August 2025.

Powell said the bleacher-cover delay resulted from precaution after concrete testing and that the steel and other materials are on-site: "We took a lot of caution, once we got some indication that the concrete wasn't performing as we wanted," he said. Trustees asked whether existing foundations could support games while repairs continue; Powell said the questioned foundations do not affect the bleacher seating in use and that currently scheduled competition would not be compromised by the remedial work.

Trustees also questioned the timeline for track availability for summer workouts; Powell said he expected the field and track to be "close" for summer use but could not guarantee availability for all pre-season activities until work progresses.

Board members discussed elevator scheduling for the counseling remodel; Powell said Otis was scheduled to begin installation once all parts were on-site and that the contractor had been coordinating daily. Trustees also asked about vehicle and equipment access to new storage and changing-room buildings at the track site; Powell confirmed vehicle access will accommodate district service vehicles and small utility vehicles.

The district architect closed by inviting questions from the board and said staff will continue to coordinate construction sequencing to avoid conflicts with athletic seasons and other campus activities.