Oct 24, 2002 By Kris Schiffbauer 5 min read

MAPLETOWN – Architects for Southeastern Greene School District are set to put a new construction project out for bids this week. Representatives of Hayes Design Group told the school board Wednesday during a buildings and grounds committee meeting before the regular business meeting that a project to build a new concession stand and press box building can be advertised for bidders Friday.

The preliminary cost estimate was quoted at about $140,000.

The architects plan to receive the bids by Nov. 12 and give the school board a recommendation Nov. 13. If the board votes then to award a contract, work could start a week or so afterward. The anticipated completion date is around May 9.

Kevin Hayes said the intent is to be done before graduation services, although he said weather could have something to do with the timetable.

Hayes and an associate described the plans that feature a two-story structure that would be located at the junior/senior high school football field, next to the library portion of the building and off the back of the existing bleachers, centered at the 50-yard line.

The lower level would have two concession stands divided by an interior wall. Each concession area would have hand, prep and three-bowl sinks. A ticket window would be included at the concession level.

The architects and school officials discussed a couple of alternate items for the concession stands that would raise the price and may not be added after all. One was the system to support deep fryers, which was estimated at about $30,000, and the other was countertops, at about $12,000 to $16,000.

Hayes said it is expensive to support deep fryers because of building and fire codes and regulations.

The upper level would include a press area, an announcer’s booth and two spotters’ booths, one for the home and the other for the visitors’ coaches. The spotters’ booths would be located at the opposite ends.

Meanwhile, Hayes said the architects sent general contractor Weeger Construction Co. of Uniontown a notice to proceed with the project to build a new maintenance garage at the high school. He said the contractors may start bringing in equipment later this week.

The school board, at an Oct. 9 special meeting, awarded the $92,800 contract to Weeger Construction Co. The school board had rejected bids for mechanical and electrical work and took no further action Wednesday.

Hayes said the school board may consider bidding demolition of the old garage and concession stands separately or together.

The architects are expected to unveil a feasibility study for the school district’s buildings and grounds at a special meeting of the school board next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

In regular business, the board voted in favor of a contract with National School Fitness Foundation to obtain exercise equipment.

Superintendent Dr. Philip Savini Jr. had explained during the planning meeting that the foundation has offered the district about $200,000 worth of equipment, which would be placed at the former Penn Pitt school building for use by student athletes and gym classes. He said it could also be made available for use by the public.

He said the school district would pay $4,000 a month to a leasing company and be reimbursed the same month by the foundation, and the goal of the foundation is to gather data on how the students use the equipment for their health.

The board also voted to advertise for the position of technology coordinator.

They approved an agreement with California University of Pennsylvania to participate in a high school program in which seniors could get college credits. Savini said the school has been approved for a chemistry class so far, and the class would cost a student $75. The program would begin the second nine weeks of this school year.

The school board tabled a senior trip to Ocean City, Md., for three days and two nights in May. Savini said the school board held off on voting for the trip because of the sniper attacks in that region.

The directors also accepted a $1,000 literacy grant from the Wal-Mart store in Uniontown.

Among other matters, the board heard from several mothers angry about a variety of issues.

The issue that was repeatedly addressed was that parents cannot attend the Halloween celebration Friday at Bobtown Elementary School.

They talked about how the party and parade are a tradition and that they want to join in the fun with their children. They also talked about difficulty their children may have while putting on their costumes instead of getting dismissed to change at home or get help from their parents.

The discussion was lengthy, with principal Richard Hauger and others citing safety concerns.

Hauger said parents can participate at other times, and Savini noted it is difficult to control the situation when there are many visitors in the school.

The parents also voiced concerns about other safety issues, such as vehicle traffic around the schools.