Dickson County board approves phased work on high school sports complex and clears construction-management step

The Dickson County Board of Education voted on Jan. 23 to advance multiple sections of the Dickson County High School sports complex master plan and to proceed with selecting a construction manager for related construction work.

The action moves the project from planning into early procurement and design. The board approved work on the main football area (Section A), added two tennis courts to the complex (Section C), and approved updates to the soccer field and track (Section D). Board members discussed but deferred large-scale baseball improvements and a new field house pending further study and pricing.

Consultants from Lyle Cook & Martin presented the project as a multi‑phase master plan that emphasizes the football/track area while allowing later phases for baseball, concessions and additional locker‑room work. Lane Lyle, a principal with Lyle Cook & Martin, told the board the overall project has enough complexity to justify professional construction oversight and said, “this one is a larger project with as much complexity to it. I would recommend the same system or something similar,” referring to using a construction manager model for oversight.

Board members repeatedly raised budget and sequencing questions. The district has a capital allotment and a previously authorized $15 million allotment for facilities; presenters described the figures shown as master‑plan, pre‑engineering budgets that will be refined in design and bidding. Board members cautioned that the cost figures are estimates and that final pricing will be established during engineering and competitive procurement.

On specific votes, the board approved moving forward with Section A (football/track/visitor bleachers and ADA upgrades); Section C (two additional tennis courts, with lighting included in the master budget for those courts); and Section D (soccer field, running track repairs and associated lighting). Recorded roll‑call votes for Section C included affirmative votes from Miss Brogdon, Mister Chadwick, Mister Haley, Miss Lambley and Mister Parker and a negative vote from Miss Steele; the motion carried. The Section D vote was carried with five board members voting yes and one voting no.

Members also asked consultants to refine options for the baseball concession/scoring building. Consultants described the existing concession/score structure as cramped between the field fence and a drive loop and recommended delaying a full rebuild in favor of a separate capital project or a substantially larger, staged renovation if the board wishes to include a field house. A new field house or large addition was presented as an optional future phase with a separate estimated cost in the master plan.

Board members and consultants agreed to return with more detailed engineering, firm pricing and a timeline before final procurement. Several trustees urged the board to consider a construction manager for the overall complex rather than hiring individual prime contractors for each phase; the board agreed to bring a construction‑management procurement plan to a future meeting after additional study.

The board also voted separately to authorize pursuing a construction manager for the Dickson County High School high‑wall/related building projects and instructed staff to issue an RFQ for professional services. The board’s motion to seek a construction manager was seconded and recorded as carried.

NEXT STEPS: District staff and the consultants will refine design documents and pricing, return with a recommended procurement approach for a construction manager, and present firm costs for the baseball facility and concession options before the board approves contracts or additional phases.