Quillayute board awards $4.35M site-work contract for Spartan Field, keeps lighting and turf options open

The Quillayute Valley School District board unanimously approved a motion to award the Spartan Field site-improvement contract to Inner West Construction (ICI) for the apparent low bid in the $4.3 million range, with alternates for future lighting conduit and other add-ons.

District staff told the board the $4.3 million figure covers the dirt work, sidewalks, drainage improvements, dugouts and some restroom and press-box infrastructure. Jay, part of the project team, said separating the e-layer or synthetic pad from turf installation could shift scope into phase 2 and noted a turf contractor could supply the pad more cheaply than the general contractor; staff estimated the turf installation itself could range from about $600,000 to $1,000,000 depending on scope. "If we go that route," Jay said, "it will actually save the district a decent amount of money." The board included alternates for underground conduit for future field lighting and facilities infrastructure to avoid costly future tear-outs.

Board members and staff emphasized inflationary pressures and the role of timber-dollars and grants in covering matching funds. Diana (district staff) said the district can move local timber dollars and pursue grants to fund the turf phase and other items; she also said the team will use value-engineering after award to pare nonessential items to bring the project closer to initial cost expectations. The motion carried by voice vote; board members said the contractor's local capacity and past work in Forks were decisive factors.

What happens next: staff will finalize the contract with ICI, pursue value-engineering to reduce costs where possible and coordinate procurement/scoping for phase 2 turf so the district can take advantage of Sourcewell/KCDA cooperative pricing where beneficial.

Sources: Board motion and discussion during the meeting; staff presentation and bid-opening summary.