Richland County CUSD 1 board reviews CMU block vs. pre‑engineered metal for new athletic building
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Summary
At a special meeting, board members examined cost, durability and schedule tradeoffs for a new athletic building. Staff presented a pre‑engineered metal building shell cost of $961,000 but warned it could add about nine months to the schedule and reduce longevity compared with CMU block construction.
The Richland County Community School District 1 board spent the bulk of a special meeting discussing two construction options for a planned athletic building: the currently approved CMU (concrete masonry unit) block design and a pre‑engineered metal building alternative.
An unidentified staff member and architect outlined the tradeoffs, saying a pre‑engineered metal building shell was quoted at $961,000, but that interior finishes — metal studs with drywall versus CMU interior walls — would materially increase cost and reduce durability. The staff representative said wood‑frame options were estimated to last about 20–25 years, while CMU block construction could exceed 50 years. He also told the board the metal option could add roughly nine months to the construction timeline, moving completion from the October 1 target to about June 2027, and could conflict with GeoSurfaces’ scheduled work (GeoSurfaces is planning completion on 12/31/2026).
Board members repeatedly pressed for more precise numbers. “I just want the numbers. Actually, I want to be able to make an informed decision,” the chair said, emphasizing the need for a documented comparison rather than informal outreach. Other members raised durability and maintenance concerns — for example, HVAC equipment placement for a metal building would likely require ground‑mounted units and fencing, and metal walls typically need protective measures (block base or veneer) to prevent denting and vandalism.
Staff described intermediate design options intended to reduce metal quantity and cost, such as a four‑foot block base with metal above, which would raise the structure off the ground, provide water protection and reduce the amount of metal siding. The board also discussed site details, including drainage and turf/landscaping tradeoffs, and confirmed staff had an agreement with the city engineer on the drainage plan.
The board agreed to receive a fuller, itemized cost comparison and schedule update at the upcoming regular meeting later this month before making a final selection. The chair and staff said they had solicited multiple estimates and would present the detailed bids and design comparisons to the full board for a transparent vote.
Next steps: staff will provide a side‑by‑side cost and schedule breakdown (including the $961,000 pre‑engineered shell estimate and any interior finish scenarios), and the board will revisit the item at the next regular meeting for action.