District hears construction update, approves safety change order for athletic complex
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Summary
Contractor GeoSurfaces reported demolition, excavation and storm‑drain work underway at the athletic complex; the board approved a change order to extend backstops/netting (costs: $16,200 baseball; $18,600 softball) funded by auction proceeds and demo savings, and administration said bids for remaining work remain active.
Contractor Houston Meyer of GeoSurfaces told the Richland County CUSD 1 board that demolition and mass excavation for the athletic complex have finished and that crews have moved into heavy storm‑drain installation. Meyer said fencing and vertical work, including football and baseball field construction, should become visible "over the next 4 to 6 weeks," weather permitting, and that the contractor is providing daily photos and periodic drone imagery.
Board members asked about stump removal near fiber lines; Meyer said stumps will be ground below grade to avoid damage. Meyer and staff emphasized efforts to use local vendors and subcontractors where possible.
Later in the meeting administration presented a safety‑driven change order to extend backstops and protective netting laterally and vertically to reduce the risk of foul balls reaching pedestrian and parking areas. The proposal listed costs of $16,200 for baseball and $18,600 for softball. Administration said the change order can be absorbed using auction proceeds ($21,497) plus a $30,000 reduction in demolition costs applied to the capital project. The board approved the change order on a roll‑call vote.
The project remains on a near‑term schedule; staff said critical path items (bleachers, press box) are approved and that regular updates and photos will be shared with the board.