Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nest Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Region 9 board directs staff to get firm price proposals after wastewater costs push nest project budget higher
Summary
After receiving engineering estimates that moving sanitary service from the proposed ‘nest’ building to the municipal treatment plant could cost roughly $475,000–$500,000, the Region 9 Board directed the director of finance and operations to obtain firm price proposals for wastewater work, the nest building (bathrooms and team rooms), and demolition/repurposing of the existing snack shack. The board asked administration to return with detailed quotes in January.
The Region 9 Board of Education on Monday directed staff to obtain firm price proposals for three elements of the high‑school ‘nest’ project after engineering estimates showed the wastewater connection could cost significantly more than earlier projections.
The finance and operations committee told the board it had received plans for a wastewater force main that would remove sanitary plumbing from the proposed nest and route it up to the municipal wastewater treatment plant; the estimate, the committee said, falls roughly between $475,000 and $500,000. Committee members and board members said that figure is substantially above the budgeted allowance and that the district needs detailed quotes to weigh options.
"We have received some plans for the wastewater force main, which basically removes wastewater from the proposed nest building and brings it up the hill," a committee representative said, urging the board to seek an actual cost instead of a high‑level estimate.
The board voted unanimously to direct the Director of Finance and Operations to obtain three firm price proposals: (1) a specific price for the engineered wastewater/force main work, (2) a price for construction of the nest building as proposed (three bathrooms, two team rooms and storage), and (3) a price for demolishing the existing snack shack and retrofitting an adjacent garage to serve as a replacement. Members said administration should return with those puzzle pieces and documentation in January so the board can decide whether to proceed, delay or phase components of the project.
Board members noted they bonded $4.5 million for the overall project, with roughly $1.5 million remaining for the nest building and related work after field and parking work. "If the wastewater work is at the high end of this estimate, that will consume a substantial portion of what remains and change how we prioritize or phase the project," one member said.
Several members encouraged additional fundraising and a careful review of options before committing funds. A public commenter suggested local contractors might offer discounted services for foundation or masonry work, and the board asked the building committee to explore that possibility.
The motion to seek firm proposals passed unanimously. Administration said it expects to have the requested quotes and supporting documents ready for the board’s January meeting.
