Board approves $271,625 to demolish and replace visitor-side bleachers at Lee County High School; larger bleacher option deferred

The Lee County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the Lee County Board of Education for $271,625.34 to demolish the original visitor-side bleachers at Lee County High School and pour a new concrete pad to support replacement seating, and authorized budget amendment 01-22-25-12.

County staff said the funding covers the demolition of the original visitor stands and the concrete pad. The Board of Education told commissioners it plans to request funding next fiscal year to purchase bleachers themselves; staff identified a $368,500 estimate in the packet for 900 seats. Vice Chair Alan Rommel said the concrete pad being poured is large enough to hold bleachers for up to 1,800 seats, but the school system plans to initially install a 900-seat visitor section and add more seating later if desired.

Commissioners pressed staff on the pricing, noting the packet listed approximately $368,500 for a 900-seat section and suggested that moving to a full 1,800-seat installation would increase the total project cost to roughly $1 million. Staff explained that the figure shown for $1 million represented the broader total project cost (demolition, concrete pad and full 1,800-seat bleachers) while the $368,500 was for the 900-seat bleacher units only.

A motion to approve the funding request and budget amendment was adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The Board of Education indicated it will present a separate capital request for the bleachers in the next fiscal-year CIP process.