School board approves final footprint
Staff reporter
It's a done deal.
Board members of Marion-Florence USD #408 approved the building footprint, project control budget, and phase I contract during a special meeting Monday evening for construction of a new gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, and auditorium.
After weeks of heartburn over increased construction costs, the board conceded some luxuries such as a swimming pool slide and ceramic tile but kept basic concepts such as a top-loading gym and sufficient bathroom facilities at the auditorium.
When Greg Tice, architect with Spangenberg Phillips Architecture, began his presentation, he said, "The good news is I don't have any floor plans to show you."
At the past several meetings, Tice brought back revisions to floor plans for the board to consider.
An area will be reserved for a swimming pool slide if one should be added at a later date.
Alternates will be two downstairs locker rooms in the gym and additional bleachers.
The board discussed the possibility of removing a hallway in the auditorium that would serve as a sound buffer between the music room and stage. An office may be moved in between to serve as a sound barrier. That decision will be made at a later date.
Jim Costello of Hutton Construction said the project should begin in mid-December. Completion is anticipated by December 2007. Work at both sites will be done at the same time, he said.
Cost breakdown
Construction costs for the gym and indoor pool are estimated at $6,171,000 with a $298,000 contingency for additional seating in the gym..
The auditorium will cost approximately $2,402,000 with a contingency of $120,000 for additional basement lockers.
Costs also include parking lots and curb and guttering but excludes landscaping.
