Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Acadia Parish board votes to advertise bids to turf Iota High baseball and softball fields
Summary
The Acadia Parish School Board voted to advertise and seek bids to turf Iota High Schoolbaseball and softball fields after hearing a presentation from Simpson Sports Engineering on timeline, specifications and drainage work.
The Acadia Parish School Board voted 5-0 to approve advertising and seeking bids to turf the Iota High School baseball and softball fields after a presentation from Simpson Sports Engineering.
Jesse Simpson, owner of Simpson Sports Engineering of Baton Rouge, told the board the firm would act as the district's owner's representative, prepare engineering drawings and technical specifications, complete drainage analysis and manage construction oversight. He said the firm needs roughly four to six weeks to prepare bid-ready drawings and specifications and noted a 28-day advertisement period is required once the district posts the bid.
Simpson said the firm plans to build specifications around choices the coaches and district request and to include drainage plans tying into existing on-site drains where feasible. He described typical procurement in Louisiana for turf work: mandatory pre-bid meetings and generally three to four turf contractors attending those pre-bids. He named major manufacturers and installers commonly active in the state: AstroTurf, FieldTurf, GeoSurfaces, Hellas and Shaw Turf (ATS), and said distributors and some general contractors may bid, but many turf manufacturers use dedicated install crews.
Board members discussed the timeline and the proximity of baseball season. Several members urged staff to move as quickly as possible so construction would not interfere with the next season. The board also discussed mandatory advertisement timing and that the district would schedule the mandatory pre-bid after the required consecutive-week newspaper ads.
The motion to advertise and seek bids was moved by Mr. Hebert and seconded by Mr. Seymour. The roll call vote was recorded as: District 2 Glen Quivitt ' yes; District 5 Steve Jones ' yes; District 6 Ike Richard ' yes; District 7 James Higginbotham ' yes; District 8 Milton Seaborn ' yes. The chair announced the motion passes.
Next steps: Simpson will proceed to collect site elevations, perform drainage analysis and prepare the bid package and specifications; district staff will post the advertisement and schedule the mandatory pre-bid following state advertisement requirements.
