Board approves concept to rebuild on-campus field, add 8-lane track and turf; budget capped at $3.1 million
Summary
The school board approved a concept to rotate and rebuild the on-campus field and install an 8-lane track with turf to avoid later "negative work"; the concept budget was approved not to exceed $3,100,000. The vote was unanimous, 7-0.
The Galena School Board approved a concept design Tuesday to replace and reconfigure on-campus athletic facilities, including an 8-lane track and artificial turf field, capping the concept budget at $3,100,000.
Presenters said the campus's existing football field was substantially disturbed by current geothermal well-field construction and heavy staging for the high-school project. "The field is absolutely destroyed. It is absolutely destroyed," a facilities presenter said during the briefing to illustrate why restorative work alone would not be sufficient. The proposed concept would rotate the field, carve into a hillside, install engineered drainage and an asphalt base for an 8-lane track, and reuse or modify existing stands and the press box where possible.
Design and construction team members described site constraints that drive cost and schedule: utility relocation along Highway 20, a 15-foot retaining wall in places, and the need to sequence grading so contractors can hit the required windows in their schedules. Presenters said that because much of the general-conditions mobilization is already on site for the larger high-school project, certain mobilization costs would be reduced.
The board discussed turf versus natural grass; presenters argued turf offers flexibility for daily PE, multiple sports and year-round activity, and that vendor maintenance packages offset some ongoing upkeep. The contractor reported they were "on well number 57 of 77" for geothermal drilling, which influences the timing for site work and tax-credit eligibility tied to geothermal operation.
On a motion by John with a second from Mike Hyland, the board approved the concept budget motion "not to exceed $3,100,000" and carried the measure by roll call, 7-0. Board members who spoke during the discussion emphasized the goal of avoiding "negative work" (installing infrastructure now that would be torn out later) and taking advantage of present on-site resources to reduce future costs.
Next steps include design-level work, contractor pricing and a recommended procurement schedule so work can be bid in time to meet next year's construction windows.
