(Milford)– There’s good news to report in the construction of a new Elementary School for the Okoboji Community School District. Superintendent Todd Abrahamson tells KUOO news bids have come in some $1.7 million lower than originally projected. The estimated cost was slightly more than $44.1 million with the actual bid coming in at $42.4 million. He says that will allow the school board to consider some enhancements for the elementary project…
“So there was, I believe, five alternates on this so now we have decisions to make on the alternates. For example, canopies, exterior canopies for students, community, staff for bad weather, rain, snow, whatever it might be, that they’re able to stand under there and sit and also just another area for relaxation and curriculum studies. Another is to do turf soccer fields for the elementary students, a sprinkler system as well. So that’s exciting when you can be under bid and then consider those alternates.”
Abrahamson says the district’s construction manager will oversee the subcontracting for the project…
“Our contractor is actually Klinger Construction Management and so there’s like 32 different subcontractors for a specific area is how that works. The school holds those contracts while Klinger manages that but there’s a different contract for site utilities, for mechanical and electrical. Once we finalize everything we’ll get that information out as soon as possible.”
Abrahamson adds they now look forward to a bid letting for the first phase of renovations at the high school. He says a groundbreaking for the projects is still a month or so out…
“So what we’re looking at is probably late June because we’d like to do two separate groundbreakings: one for the elementary and the other one for phase one of the high school, and those bids will be opened on June 12th. We’re looking around June 25th for an official groundbreaking ceremony for both of those projects. More details to come out on that, as well.”
The projects were made possible by a $69 million dollar bond issue voters approved in November of last year.
