Commission waives purchasing policy and approves repairs at Stormont Vail Event Center, including Landon Arena door replacement

The Shawnee County commissioners approved two Stormont Vail Event Center requests: a waiver of the county purchasing policy so the center can pay Rock Concrete for several concrete projects that together total just under $42,000, and a separate capital expenditure to replace a failed overhead door at Landon Arena.

Matt Rocker, director of operations at the Stormont Vail Event Center, said Rock Concrete completed a series of exterior projects during ongoing renovations at Heritage Hall, including patio pours and support piers; many of the individual pieces were under $2,500 but the combined total exceeded purchasing thresholds. "These projects totaled just under $42,000 complete together," Rocker said. Audit and finance requested permission to pay the invoices as a single expenditure, and commissioners granted the waiver by voice vote.

Separately, Rocker described a critical failure of the original overhead door at Landon Arena during a heavy snow load. The board authorized spending $18,164.07 from the event center's capital expenditure fund to replace the door and operator; the bid was awarded to Mark's Overhead Door Service. Rocker said the door is insulated (one inch) and about 14 feet wide and that the arena door had never been replaced since original construction.

Both motions passed unanimously (3-0). Commissioner Kevin Cook moved the purchasing-policy waiver for Rock Concrete and Commissioner Bill Rippon seconded; the Landon Arena door replacement was moved by Bill Rippon and seconded by Kevin Cook. Commissioners said the expenditures were approved by the event center advisory board prior to the county vote.

The purchases will be funded from Stormont Vail Event Center capital funds and the event center will coordinate payment and installation.