Council approves GMP amendment for Hays Seminole Family Entertainment Center; schedule slips to 2026

A divided project team and city staff told the Seminole governing body on July 8 that the Hays Seminole Family Entertainment Center is moving forward after the council approved a guaranteed‑maximum‑price amendment with Miller Tippens Construction Company LLC.

A presenter who described the revised plans said the construction schedule has slipped from earlier projections and that the team now anticipates completion in 2026. “This is the go that we've been waiting on,” the presenter said, adding that updated Gantt charts show the project about two to three months behind an earlier estimate and that the contractor expects roughly a 12‑month construction period starting from the current schedule.

The presentation walked the council through the final floor plan: retained indoor restaurant seating with roll‑up doors and operable windows to create an indoor‑outdoor feel for inclement weather; a main game area and a redemption center; a party room; and a drive‑through window for the restaurant. The presenter said an outdoor mini‑golf course remains a desired add‑on but was not included in the current GMP because of budgetary risk. “We have the money to be able to do that now, but if we have any cost overruns we won't have the money,” the presenter said.

Council members asked about timing and placement of optional features and about specific materials changes; staff noted some exterior metal cladding substitutions to control cost. After discussion the council moved, seconded and approved the GMP amendment by roll call.

The vote clears the contractor to move forward under the amended GMP; city staff said they had trimmed nonessential items from the current contract to stay within budget but will return to council if they seek to add optional amenities such as mini‑golf. The project’s next steps are contractor mobilization and continued coordination on final finishes and a revised construction schedule.