Mercer County Board approves construction documents and authorizes March bid for new elementary and athletics complex
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Summary
The Mercer County Board authorized combined design/construction documents (BG‑2/BG‑3) and permission to bid on a new elementary school and athletics complex that includes a stadium, track, weight room and six tennis courts; the board approved the measure by roll call and noted turf will be procured via state price contract.
Mercer County — The Mercer County Board of Education on Monday authorized combined design and construction documents (BG‑2 and BG‑3) and gave staff permission to take the project out to bid, moving the new elementary school and adjacent athletics complex closer to construction.
Project presenters told the board the campus plan includes a football field with artificial turf and a surrounding track, a weight‑room building, visitor seating, concessions and restrooms sized for the venue, six tennis courts and a plaza at the main entrance intended for donor pavers and future recognition. “We have the football field with the artificial turf, the track that goes around it,” the project presenter said during the site‑plan walkthrough. Bids are planned for March, with the district to evaluate alternates such as chair backs in the central bleacher bank, the sound system and relocation of an existing scoreboard.
The presenters emphasized that the turf is not part of the BG‑3 bid package because it will be purchased under a state price contract; the BG‑3 recommendation therefore reflects the construction scope exclusive of turf. The board was shown renderings of the home and visitor stands and the architectural approach tying the stadium and athletics buildings to the overall campus design. The presenter noted the home side capacity and an 800‑seat visitor side, and described circulation, entry plaza and concession design elements.
Board members asked technical and sequencing questions about materials and flooring options during the review. The project presenter explained trade sequencing for flooring finishes and the rationale for alternates, noting that some choices (for example, sealing concrete versus porcelain tile in restrooms) change constructability and cost. After discussion the board moved, seconded and approved the construction documents and authorization to solicit bids; the approval passed on a roll call vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize bid documents in March and issue the solicitation. The board’s approval permits the district to proceed to the bidding phase; final award of a construction contract will return to the board for approval after bids are opened and evaluated.