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Council awards full demolition, reviews $6M schematic for Curtis Corner athletic fields
Summary
Council accepted the low full-demolition bid for Curtis Corner Middle School and authorized $715,000 (incl. $40,000 contingency), noting an estimated ~$2.285M savings versus the partial-demolition budget. Designers presented a $6M schematic for new turf, an 8-lane track and site amenities; staff outlined expected lifecycle replacement costs and a phased schedule.
The South Kingstown Town Council authorized full demolition of the Curtis Corner Middle School building and reviewed schematic designs and cost estimates for replacement athletic fields during its March 9 meeting.
Project staff told the council that full demolition bids produced a low offer from Bill Ray Corporation at $675,000; with a $40,000 contingency the recommended authorization totaled $715,000. Staff said the partial-demolition low bid was $2,684,000, which produces roughly $2.285 million in demolition-area savings when compared to the partial option and the previously planned budget. Staff and the school building committee reviewed the low bidder’s compliance with prevailing-wage and WMBBE requirements and reported that the bid met the contract’s requirements.
Designers then presented the schematic for the new athletic complex (part two of a three-part project). The plan calls for an 8-lane encapsulated track, a hybrid-fiber synthetic turf field with shock pad, two 500-seat bleacher systems, new lighting, fencing and a plaza for circulation and event egress. Schematic cost estimates presented at the meeting put site work at about $1.25 million, the track at roughly $1.0 million, the turf at $1.75 million and site amenities at about $2.0 million — a schematic total near $6.0 million for part two. Designers told council that the selected track and turf systems carry life expectancies of about 10–12 years and that replacement at the end of life would likely cost in the low millions.
Council members asked about use, maintenance and state reimbursement. Staff confirmed that demolition and abatement are subject to state (RIDE) reimbursement; they also cautioned that $2.285 million in demolition savings should be managed because additional work remains for field design and site improvements. Staff described the phased work plan: RIDE submission, bid/award cycle in May–June, construction July 2026–February 2027, and part-three site work the following spring and summer to be ready for students in fall 2027.
The motion to award the demolition contract and the related change orders (including a net $12,037 addition for ceramic wall tile and AV conduit offset by a $68,416 deduction for PVC sanitary piping) passed during the meeting. Project staff noted a $40,000 contingency within the demolition authorization for unforeseen hazardous materials abatement issues.
