USD 411 construction project delayed

Schedule conflicts sited as cause for lack of bidders

Goessel Board of Education had a special meeting Oct. 29 to meet with Josh Walker of Loyd builders and discuss the construction of the school’s new addition.

“Originally the plan was to bring a list of bidders to be approved in order that construction could begin in November,” Superintendent John Fast said. “However, there were not enough bidders during the window of opportunity given in October even though there was much interest from subcontractors when they visited our site.”

Walker followed up with bidders and found a few that needed more details in the drawings, Fast said, but most had a full work schedule for the remainder of 2013 and could not fit the project into their schedules. Consequently, there were not enough bidders.

“Mr. Walker recommended extending the time frame,” Fast said. “Most sub contractors will be lining up work, bidding on work in the winter to fill their spring and summer schedule.”

Walker recommended a second bid letting in January with new construction set to begin March 1 and will likely extend into the 2014 fall semester leaving the bulk of the work to occur during summer break.

“Our ultimate goal is to get a quality facility and improvements made to the district at the price our patrons approved,” board president Dan Miller said. “If this means we need to be patient while Mr. Walker works to prepare the ground for good bids, then we will be patient.”

Walker also assured the board that he and his company would deliver all that the voters approved without going over the approved amount. Meanwhile, they will work to move utilities and remove the old metal shop between now and March 1.

No action was taken at the meeting.