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Monroe County approves $1.38 million construction contract and separate lighting contract for Karst Athletic Complex expansion
Summary
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 30 approved a $1,377,250 construction agreement with Reed and Son and a separate Musco Sport Lighting contract not to exceed $195,842 to add a synthetic turf field, ADA amenities and field lighting at Karst Athletic Complex; votes were unanimous, 3-0.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved two contracts on Jan. 30 to expand the Karst Athletic Complex: a construction agreement with Reed and Son not to exceed $1,377,250 and a Musco Sport Lighting, LLC contract for field lighting not to exceed $195,842. Both approvals passed unanimously, 3-0.
The contracts will fund a new synthetic turf field (field No. 12), associated Americans with Disabilities Act amenities, and utilities, plus stadium lighting. Funding sources listed on the agenda include the County General fund, Convention Visitors and Tourism, the 2023 and 2024 general obligation bonds, and parks reverting and nonreverting funds (fund numbers 101127, 40817, 40819, 11708 and 1179). The parks board voted to contribute $250,000 from its nonreverting fund toward the project.
“This is for an additional turf field, which is synthetic, and all the ADA amenities and all the utilities that will go along with this,” said Ms. Whitmer, Parks Department staff, during the presentation. Commissioners said the extra synthetic fields will reduce wear on grass fields and improve rotation and playability.
Christopher, representing the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, spoke from the public podium about the economic benefit of sports tourism, saying the fields bring visiting families and hotel stays. “These are the type of things that do bring people in,” he said, thanking Parks staff for their leadership. A Visit Bloomington representative said the agency is already planning athletic events for 2026 and noted lacrosse as an emerging sport that could use the complex.
County leaders emphasized cost-efficiencies from installing amenities together and avoiding damage to adjacent fields from heavy construction equipment. The board voted to approve the Reed and Son construction agreement and the Musco Sport Lighting contract by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motions as carrying 3-0.
The projects’ presenters estimated the consolidated procurement reduced incremental costs and operational disruption. No completion date was given in the presentation; commissioners and staff did not alter the contracts on the floor. Public comment in favor of the expansion was recorded before final approval.
Questions about next steps and timeline were addressed to Parks staff; no formal amendments or contingencies were attached to the motions.
