Facilities update: boiler replacement, movable walls and a pricier track bid recommended for bid
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Facilities staff told the board Prairie View needs a boiler replacement (estimated ~$100,000), Prairie Knolls movable partition replacement is estimated at ~$75,000, and a conservative track replacement estimate came in at about $1.4 million vs. an original budget of $950,000; staff recommended soliciting bids and exploring purchasing cooperatives.
Facilities staff updated the Central CUSD 301 board on several building and grounds items and recommended moving forward with a formal bid process for a track replacement.
On building repairs, staff said the Prairie View boiler will require replacement and estimated "it's gonna be roughly a $100,000 replacement." The movable partition walls between the gym and cafeteria at Prairie Knolls have failed in places; staff have estimates to replace them and are evaluating options including motorized movable walls or installing a permanent wall, with an estimated cost of about $75,000.
On the district track, facilities staff reported a "conservative estimate" of $1.4 million for replacement compared with the original budgeted figure of $950,000, citing soil borings and additional earthwork that increased scope. Staff recommended putting the project out to bid, noting that bidding does not obligate the district to proceed if returned bids exceed expectations. The staff presentation included scope notes (e.g., trench drainage, relocating pole vault and long-jump pits outside the track, and a possible concrete curb inlay for future turf) and that some alternates may be limited.
Staff also noted current athletic-supplier pricing came from a single source and recommended pursuing purchasing cooperatives and additional vendor quotes to reduce cost risk before final award. Facilities concluded the update by recognizing buildings and grounds employees for extended work during recent extreme weather: staff reported the snow-removal team worked "13 of 14 days."
The board asked for a written scope and renditions for the track to evaluate alternates and future-proofing options; staff said they would assemble and return with bid-ready materials.
Next steps include issuing bid documents, evaluating returned bids, and returning to the board for a go/no-go decision based on competitive pricing and available funding.