District officials report irrigation damage at new baseball/softball complex; contractor to reimburse some costs

Clear Creek Amana facilities staff reported progress and remaining punch‑list items for several building projects at the June board meeting and described a recent irrigation failure at the new baseball/softball complex that left the outfield soggy and temporarily unacceptable for play.

Facilities update and punch‑list status

Maury, who presented the building projects update, said Knutson Construction is compiling required documentation to move the East Ridge Elementary project to final completion and that warranty items remain small. For the baseball/softball complex, Maury said the district discussed outstanding punch‑list items at a construction meeting and is developing a plan to accept the practice infield while keeping the outfield out of final acceptance until turf is established.

Irrigation repair and turf condition

According to the facilities report, a Knutson subcontractor installed an irrigation line too shallowly near the pitcher’s mound and the district’s recent aeration punctured that line. Maury said the subcontractor repaired the line and provided the replacement parts; district grounds staff dug the trench to expedite the repair and re‑installed sod in areas where needed.

"They came back and they repaired that line. In order to speed things up, our grounds crew actually dug the trench for them, to expedite the whole process," Maury said, noting the subcontractor will reimburse district costs for time and materials.

The district will monitor the outfield until the sod establishes. Maury described watering and packing practices the grounds crew is following to firm the turf and said the district may withhold part of the contractor's retainage until outstanding items are finished and final completion is approved. Board members asked whether the repaired line was buried deeper; Maury confirmed it was.

Other project notes

Board members also raised smaller punch‑list concerns: a hole in a backstop net that the facilities team is tracking, and some cracked sidewalk panels leading to the site entrance. Maury said panels that were fully cracked have been or will be replaced; other minor cracking sometimes results from construction traffic and settling and will be monitored under the two‑year warranty.

Why it matters

The turf and irrigation issues delayed final acceptance of the practice outfield and could affect when the district releases final payments and retainage to the contractor. Facilities staff told trustees they have documentation of labor and material costs to seek reimbursement and that Knutson has been cooperative so far.

Ending

The board directed staff to withhold appropriate retainage while the district documents outstanding work and seeks reimbursement; staff will return with final completion documents and a recommendation when the punch list is closed.