School board members in Arkansas City have put off plans for new tennis courts at the high school because two bids received on the project came in higher than expected.
After an extended bid turn around time, two construction companies submitted bids. ATG offered a bid of $998,000 while Hutton Construction, the district’s construction manager, came in a bit higher at just over $1 million.
Dr. Ron Ballard, superintendent, recommended the board reject both bids because they are significantly higher than expected.
"If there is a silver lining in this, it’s that the majority of the additional cost is wrapped up in the dirt work needed for the type of tennis facility we had designed," Ballard said. "That means we still have the option to adjust the design and, or move the facility to another area at the high school that is more level."
Kenton Cox, architect, said the plans basically got too big for what the district can afford.
"I think we’ll be in much better shape if we hold off for awhile, reassess, and get everything back into perspective for what we have budgeted," he said.
Cox said his suggested plan is to reconsider the location for the courts and seek bids for all the dirt work associated with the projects at the high school, including the athletic complex, to hopefully lower the per-unit price.
The a re-design can be completed if necessary and the courts can be bid again as a separate project.
