Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Athletics Design Build topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Facilities committee backs $5.36 million design‑build authorization for Forest Hills High athletics
Summary
The Union County Public Schools Facilities Committee on March 25 voted unanimously to send a $5,363,000 design‑build authorization for Forest Hills High School athletics (phase 1: track, synthetic surfacing, sidewalks and fencing) to the full Board of Education; funding is proposed from 2022 premium bond proceeds.
Union County Public Schools’ Facilities Committee voted March 25 to recommend that the full Board of Education authorize a $5,363,000 design‑build contract to begin phase 1 of athletics upgrades at Forest Hills High School.
The committee’s staff presenter, Emel, said the project will be carried out in two phases and that phase 1 will include work inside the track — sidewalks, fencing, track replacement, subsurface work and installation of a synthetic surface. "The project is going to be conducted in 2 phases," Emel said, and staff is requesting the contract be issued in the amount of $5,363,000, funded from 2022 premium bond funds.
Committee members pressed staff on which items would be replaced versus renovated in phase 2, asking whether the concession stand and home bleachers would be replaced outright or renovated. Emel described phase 2 as still in design and said staff has not finalized decisions for concessions, bleachers or the field house; she said the concession structure is in good condition and staff is considering a renovation rather than full replacement. "Holistically, we're not looking to replace the concession stand, but there is a pretty detailed remodel or renovation," Emel said.
Emel also told the committee staff is communicating with school staff and the athletics department to determine the extent of field house renovations and that restroom work will be grouped by trade and location. Committee members said the difference between replacement and renovation could have a significant budget impact and asked staff to keep the committee updated as design work progresses.
The committee voted to forward the contract authorization to the full Board of Education for approval by voice vote (committee recorded support as 4–0). The committee packet and Emel’s presentation include renderings and a phased scope; phase 2 remains subject to additional design decisions and cost assessment.
Next steps: the item will appear on the Board of Education agenda for formal approval; the Facilities Committee did not vote to authorize any construction spending beyond recommending the contract issuance and funding source.
