By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
With the blueprints for the new Okarche Public Schools baseball field, softball field and band room now “95% complete,” school board members have approved the district opening bids for the work.
The plans are a few months behind due to the pandemic, said Superintendent Josh Sumrall.
Architects in Partnership have worked on plans for a new band room that will convert the former elementary school cafeteria into space for band students to have class, practice and store their instruments.
Near the new band room would be a new softball field and a new baseball field.
Ball fields would share a facility with a press box, concession stand and restrooms. There will be lighting and artificial surfaces for the fields.
All of the work should be completed on the projects by spring, 2023.
Sumrall said a construction manager has been hired, Rick Scott Construction. A representative attended the Monday, Dec. 13 Okarche School board meeting.
The projects will not raise taxes, Sumrall said.
Bids will be taken until a selection is made in February, Sumrall said.
“We will see where the bids come in at, and then see if we need to make adjustments. It is not a bond issue but we do have a budget in mind,” Sumrall said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed many construction projects and plans for such work in the past year and nine months, he said.
“It is going a little slower than I was probably hoping for, but as for everything, COVID has kind of slowed engineering and civil work, and projects are backed up. We will try to move forward as soon as we can,” Sumrall said.
