City school district moves forward with construction projects
The Cambridge City School District is moving forward with three significant construction projects that will not impact the general fund.
An artificial playing surface at McFarland Stadium, improvements to the HVAC systems in all the district’s buildings, and the construction of a new transportation facility are being aided by the one-time Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and Permanent Improvement funds.
The board approved a resolution giving the administration the authority to enter into a contract with AstroTurf Corporation to install an artificial surface at McFarland Stadium. The recommendation came after reviewing solutions from multiple vendors.
According to Business Manager Dave Caldwell, the project should be completed by the end of June and be available for use when fall sports begin in August. However, the field use will not be limited to the district’s football and soccer teams as the new surface will increase the ability to use the field no matter what the season.
The school district will encourage use by community organizations and leagues. While the schools will have priority, there will be opportunities for community organizations to use the field.
In addition to increased usage, the turf also provides a level of safety for participants as the artificial surface absorbs energy on impact.
The cost will be approximately $875,000 to turf the entire area inside the track at the stadium including taking out the asphalt area between the scoreboard and the endzone where the high jump pit used to be located for track and field events.
The turf will be two shades of green with the endzones for football being blue with the words Cambridge and Bobcats. A Bobcat Paw will be in the middle of the field. The surface will be lined for soccer as well as football.
The cost of the turf will be paid for by ESSER funds and Permanent Improvement funds meaning no general fund or tax dollars generated through local levies will be used.
The board also approved a resolution giving the administration the ability to competitively bid for the construction of the new transportation facility to be built on the districts’ property on Wills Creek Valley Drive, near the district’s main campus.
The new facility will provide adequate space, improve the air quality, and be energy efficient. It will include a wash bay, service bays, a mechanic shop, room for meetings and training sessions, office space, and a drivers’ lounge with men’s and women’s restrooms.
Behind the building, there will be diagonal parking for 22 buses plus space to park vans and other school vehicles. The district intends to install new fencing around the front and side of the facility.
At the July board meeting, the board selected V2Architects of Cambridge to complete the schematic design, bidding, and construction administration of the transportation facility. V2Architects will consult with the district on the bidding process.
The board plans to review bids and select a contractor in February. Construction is estimated to take eight months, allowing the building to be occupied by the end of 2022.
A resolution was also approved to move forward with an upgrade to the HVAC system in the district. The district will be replacing the HVAC building automation and temperature control system.
CCSD will be entering into a contract for a non-proprietary solution that will allow any vendor to service the system. The district also will begin replacing the 250-plus water-sourced heat pumps in the buildings with the first eight included in this project.
The cost of $288,451 will be paid for through a combination of ESSER dollars and permanent improvement dollars. The cost will be offset by a $200,000 energy-efficiency grant from the U.S. Department of Energy administered through the Ohio Department of Development.
Submitted by Cambridge City School District.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: City school district moves forward with construction projects
