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Board approves $199,855 amendment to GPD Group contract for athletic-field design after debate
Summary
The Strongsville Board approved an amendment to the GPD Group design contract, adding $95,000 for tasks that bring the total contract to $199,855 for the baseball/softball renovation; some board members questioned proceeding before a larger bond project's scope is settled.
The Strongsville Board of Education voted Feb. 9 to amend a previously approved GPD Group proposal to add tasks for architectural and engineering services related to its baseball/softball field renovation, increasing the contract by $95,000 to a new total of $199,855.
The amendment, presented by Dr. Reiba, adds tasks 2–5 in the exhibit and will be paid from the district’s capital projects fund, Dr. Reiba said. The board previously approved task 1 on Oct. 23, 2025; the new tasks cover permitting, bidding support, construction administration and project closeout.
Board discussion focused on timing and fiscal priorities. One board member said they had “a lot of heartburn,” warning that the district is still working through a larger bond project that may affect priorities and funding for a roughly $3 million renovation and that it might be wiser to delay design work until bond outcomes are clearer. Dr. Reiba replied that the design work has a longer shelf life and that pausing now risks missing the spring 2027 construction window the board has discussed; she said the amendment covers the services needed to complete the project from design through closeout.
Board members also asked operational questions: whether site lighting, landscape design, plumbing for dugouts and other exclusions are included, and about fundraising progress. Dr. Reiba said fundraising for the football fields is wrapping up and that naming-rights and signage strategies used previously for the turf field would be applied; she said staff had not yet secured specific donations for baseball but were pursuing prior donors.
The board moved to approve the amendment (motion by Miss Hafner; second by Mister Wall) and carried the motion on roll call.
The amendment covers GPD Group services only; purchase decisions and construction contracts were not part of this approval. Dr. Reiba said staff will follow up with details about the expected shelf life of the designs and any items excluded from the amendment.
