|
By SARAH TRAVER
SOUTH KINGSTOWN - School officials are trying to find a way to salvage the proposed renovation of the high school auditorium adter bids came back higher than anticipated. The school committee discussed the unexpected blow to the capital plan on March 25. Bids were opened March 12 for the renovation of the high school auditorium and came back 20-40 percent over the funds that were available in the project’s budget. Superintendent Robert Hicks and school officials have been focusing on a way to keep the project alive.
The auditorium was first put into the capital plan in 2003 as part of the seven-year plan beginning in 2004-2005 and was scheduled for 2007-2008 as part of the general high school renovation, that included several items. As the project approached it was reduced to include only the auditorium and part of the gymnasium. An advisory group developed goals including improved acoustics, updated sound and lighting, air conditioning and some general refurbishing. When it became clear the work would cost more than $1 million, the project was scaled back to find the best combination of value and facility improvement. Bid specifications were developed that prioritized structural acoustic improvements, HVAC installation and sound and lighting infrastructure. The project was delayed by downsizing and was proposed for next summer. Base bids with some alternates to allow a selection of project scope were then publicized. The project was earmarked with a $585,000 price tag. The base bid included acoustical improvements, strengthening the side walls and the installation of sound and light system infrastructure. The architect’s estimate in March was $472,000. The first alternative added air conditioning to the base bid and was estimated at $107,500. The second alternative updated the existing ductwork which would improve air circulation and was estimated at $250,360. The third alternative would replace the carpeting in the auditorium and was estimated at $28,565. School officials said they felt the base bid would be awarded and the first alternative was a possibility, the second more of a stretch. There is no clear indication why the bid was much higher than the estimate, because the alternatives were reasonably close, Hicks said. The three lowest bidders for only the base bid ranged in price from $734,000 to $707,000. In the most recent capital plan, the available funds were reduced by half from previous years, due to limited revenue. Capital plan projects have limited funding, so additional money for the project would have forced cuts elsewhere. Hicks offered the committee options that included canceling the project, getting as much work done as possible with available funds, restructuring the capital plan to add funds to the project or use undesignated funds for the project. Hicks will have until next Monday, the committee’s next meeting, to come up with a plan to keep the project alive. |
