Board OKs contracts for Struthers stadium

Work on the renovation project is expected to begin around April 25.

STRUTHERS — The board of education unanimously approved awarding contracts totaling $910,700 for Phases 2 and 3 of the demolition and rebuilding of Struthers Wildcat Stadium.

Work is expected to begin around April 25, and the project should be completed before the beginning of the 2008 football season, officials said during a special meeting Monday afternoon.

Phases 2 and 3 include demolishing the wood, metal and concrete stands and replacing them with aluminum bleachers, which will have handicap seating.

Phase 1, completed last year, included demolishing the concrete east stands and replacing them with aluminum bleachers.

Phase 4, projected to be done in 2010-11, includes construction of a multipurpose athletic training center in the vacant lot next to the high school on Euclid Avenue. The center would include softball and baseball practice areas, batting cages, rest room and athlete changing areas, and an alumni hall of fame in the lobby.

In February, the board rejected all first-round bids for the combined Phases 2 and 3, totaling $1,051,852, because they exceeded the engineer’s estimate of $850,000 by 23.75 percent, or $201,852. State law requires that bids on public projects be no more than 10 percent over the engineer’s estimate, said schools Treasurer Michael Evanson.

Subsequently, the board made several changes to the project and raised the engineer’s estimate to $900,000, and the second-round bids came in under the legal limit. Because the bids were lower, several alternate projects were added, which will be paid for with private donations. Most of the project will be funded with revenue generated by open-enrollment students, Evanson said.

Contracts awarded are:

U General construction, demolition, sidewalk and fence replacement, painting, and arched entrance: Kreidler Construction of Poland, $515,800.

U Aluminum bleachers: Sturdysteel of Texas, $147,000.

U Mechanical construction (heating, ventilating and air conditioning and plumbing, lighting arched entrance, and three-sink compartment: Antenucci of Warren, $203,420.

U Electrical: Joe Dickey Electric of Canfield, $44,480.

Design changes made to lower the project cost include switching from electric to gas heat for rest rooms, concession stands and locker rooms; changing from wall-mounted to floor-mounted toilets; and downsizing the bleachers from 16 to 15 rows.

When the west stands are complete, the stadium will have about 3,000 regular seats plus 14 to 18 spaces for wheelchairs, Evanson said.