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Richland County board authorizes preliminary work on athletic complex amid member objections
Summary
The Richland County CUSD 1 board voted to allow FGMA to begin preliminary work on a proposed athletic complex and to form a district advisory committee; one board member said he will vote against final approval because of process and cost concerns.
The Richland County CUSD 1 Board of Education voted to allow FGMA to begin preliminary work on the proposed athletic complex and approved forming a district advisory committee to advise the board on design and procurement decisions.
The authorization covers early-phase site work FGMA needs to do to keep the project on schedule, including soil testing and hiring a mechanical engineer to begin HVAC and storm-shelter design. Superintendent Rogers told the board the firm will also present a formal FGMA contract and a separate PE/CM (professional engineering/construction management) fee proposal at a later meeting.
The board discussed a district advisory committee, recommended by district staff, that will include district personnel, two board members and possible community and trade representatives. Board members Jeff Wilson and Cindy Lockley agreed to serve as the two board members on the committee. Wilson and others emphasized the need to include technical trade representatives (for example HVAC or plumbing) so the committee can evaluate cost and scope choices.
The authorization to let FGMA proceed with preliminary work passed on a roll call vote. During the discussion Board member Wilson said he opposed aspects of the selection process used earlier in the project and signaled he will vote against final approval of the contractor if the item is brought back as presented. "We took the highest bid that was offered from a company that's pushing a product that's only been throwing football fields in The United States for a year and a half," Wilson said, adding later, "I'm still gonna be a no." He said his objections rest on process and on a cost premium he views as unjustified.
Superintendent Rogers and other board members said they would work to control costs and asked the advisory committee to review design options as an a la carte menu so the board can approve specific upgrades or change orders in the open. Rogers said FGMA needs to spend modest sums now to maintain the project timeline; the board clarified the motion allowed preliminary work but did not approve a final construction contract or set a funding source for the full project.
Board members also asked for transparency about costs and options and for explicit breakout pricing on major items (bleacher styles, concrete versus compacted aggregate base, outlets in dugouts, fencing finishes and parking layouts) before final sign-off.
The resolution to authorize FGMA to begin preliminary work and to proceed with the building process was approved by roll call vote.
