Mar 7, 2011 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – For the third time in less than a year, the Connellsville Area School Board will seek bid proposals for the renovation of the district senior high school.

Advertisement for general contracting bids along with cost proposals for the upgrading of the heating, cooling and ventilation systems, plumbing and electrical systems, food service department and the school swimming pool upgrades along with the abatement of any asbestos within the building, was recently posted in local newspapers along with various trade journals.

In August, the school board rejected the first and second round of general contracting bids that totaled nearly $35 million and the earlier proposals for the remaining work, stating the amounts exceeded the renovation budget.

Since then, the architectural firm of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates was advised to cap the total project at $45 million – nearly $20 million less than previously submitted. The maximum amount is to additionally include soft costs such as architectural, management, legal, financial and other related construction costs, according to the directive issued by the board.

Michael Omatick, director of building and grounds, said the major changes to the project to reduce costs are related to the overall general construction and pool contracts.

“The original plans included skylights to allow for natural lighting into the interior classrooms on first and second floors,” he said. “Also, the plans called for a major two-story addition in the area of the cafeteria that included glass and exposed trusses, similar to the main entrance at the Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center.”

The open area, said Omatick, continued around the auditorium to the main entrance of the school.

The development of the “commons area” concept was scrapped and replaced with a science classroom wing near the auditorium in order to curb costs, he added.

Also, a plan to build and relocate a new swimming pool was deleted from the original construction documents. The pool area was to be revamped for an auxiliary gymnasium.

Instead, said Omatick, the current pool will be renovated and remain in the current location. However, contractors are to submit costs for an auxiliary gym that if approved, would be constructed at the side of the current building in the area of the teacher parking lot.

The advertised bid documents also request that contractors not include insurance costs in the overall proposals, rather keep the amount in a separate line item. In the past, the school district has purchased the insurance for contractors as a cost-saving measure.

Bids are due on April 7 and will be opened following the 1 p.m. deadline for submission.

The board meets in regular session on April 13.

Omatick speculated that should the directors take action to approve the project costs at the April meeting and the state Department of Education (PDE) subsequently adds its authorization, work could begin within a month.

“Before any contracts are signed, the PDE must approve the costs,” said Omatick of the process. “Should that happen and the successful bidders secure their bonds and complete the necessary paperwork, we could break ground by mid-May.”