Cost of building Volney school expected to rise

Cost of building Volney school expected to rise

YOUNGSTOWN — Building a new Volney Rogers Middle School could cost some $3.3 million more than originally estimated.

It’s not that the design contains any cost overruns.

It’s just the difference between construction costs in 2004, when the building was first planned, and 2009, when the structure will actually be completed, said Steve Ludwinski of Heery International Inc., construction manager for the city school district’s $192 million school rebuilding program.

The original plan called for a $10.37 million project. That number could now reach $13.72 million.

Ludwinski presented the city school board with the revised cost estimates earlier this week.

Tony DeNiro, assistant superintendent for school business affairs, said the final project cost isn’t likely to reach that higher number, however.

This is just a first glance at the numbers based on design documents approved by the board. Actual construction documents must now be prepared and a lot of engineering changes can be made to help control the cost, DeNiro said.

Ludwinski said the Ohio School Facilities Commission, which is picking up 80 percent of the rebuilding program, is aware of the differences in construction costs and is prepared to pick up its additional share of the Volney project.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.