The West Platte School District is moving forward with its construction plans with the issuance of more than $8 million in bonds. At its regular meeting May 20, the board of education authorized the district to enter into a lease-purchase agreement with Commerce Bank to issue $8.865 million to begin work this year on the new district athletic stadium. The board also accepted several bids for the stadium project, upon the recommendation of construction managers from JE Dunn. Project bids approved were for concrete work from Leavcon, $1,125,025; drilled piers from Great Plains, $153,156; block retaining walls from Fell Seeding, $64,000; joint sealant from SW Waterproofing, $11,825; fixed audience seating from Carroll seating, $94,779; electrical work from Capital Electric, $102,500; earthwork and utilities by Blue Moon, $535,000; track and field by Brown Midwest, $1,265,970; and fencing by US Fence, $36,348.
Some work packages will be rebid, although the Phase 1 bids came in under the projected budget.
Earlier this year, HTK Architects was authorized to design the new track and field facility, which went to bid in April. Construction on the new eight-lane track will begin this summer to ensure it is ready for use during the spring 2016 track season.
The new stadium will be located to the north of the current facility, Rudolph Eskeridge Stadium, on the site of old baseball/softball fields currently used as practice areas for track and field and football.
HTK is also working on designs for a maintenance facility, cafeteria addition and a multipurpose room addition. Other planned potential projects include the relocation of the weight room, expansion of the band room, renovation of the life skills classrooms and HVAC upgrades.
The reconfiguration of the elementary school parking lot, relocation of the playground, and demolition of the existing central office will create a better pick-up and drop-off area for both buses and car traffic, improving the traffic flow around the school.