A $930,000 project to build three regulation-size soccer fields along Sue Anglin Drive should be ready this fall.
Sager Creek Soccer Complex will include the fields, a 67-car paved parking lot, drainage, irrigation, fencing and a gate, said Holland Hayden, city communication manager. The fields, 115 yards by 74 yards, sit on about 11 acres.
City staff had hoped the fields would be ready by this spring, but the sod is not ready for play.
"We are waiting for it to grow properly and take firm root," Hayden said.
On May 21, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a $751,763 bid to build the soccer fields, south of the city golf course and west of the high school.
When the bid was approved, the city had about $638,000 set aside to build the soccer fields. The remainder will come from reserves.
The soccer fields are built on land the city purchased to improve water quality of Sager Creek. On Aug. 6, 2010, city directors purchased 25 acres for $150,000. Since then, drainage improvements have been installed in Mud Cat Creek, which runs along the property. Money from the land sale for the new high school was used to pay for the 25 acres.
On July 1, Crowder Construction of Rogers broke ground on the soccer field project.
On July 19, directors approved a change order to allow for sod to be installed on two of the three soccer fields. The change order also changed the type of drainage system for the soccer fields.
On Oct. 1, 2013, directors approved a second change order to install sod on the third field. The seeding cost was removed from the project. The change cost $24,482.
The reason for the change was to have the western field prepared for play as soon as possible, according to the change order. Hayden said the change would also make maintenance of the fields easier.
The two change orders increased the cost by $48,962, she said.
According to the 2013 budget, the original cost for the project was $620,000. But the lowest bid for the project came in at $751,763.
When the revised 2013 budget was approved Nov. 19, the budgeted amount for the soccer fields increased from $310,000 to $930,000. This included the cost for fencing, which was budgeted at $100,000.
"In order to protect the city's investment and keep the complex in play condition over the years, a fence and gate was added to the budget," Hayden said.
The fencing came in under budget at $76,718. "The fence was powder coated, which lasts years longer than regular paint, thus reducing the maintenance of the fence," she said.
Electric Department staff installed conduit for future field lighting, and electrical work for the irrigation system and parking lot lights. Total investment by the Electric Department was $30,882, Hayden said.
This year, parks staff will install team benches, trash cans and goals. The cost will be $22,714, Hayden said. "Future additions will include bleachers for observers, drinking fountains, dog waste stations and a pre-fab toilet structure with vault toilets."
So, including all the previous costs, $931,040 would be spent on the project by the end of this year.
General News on 05/21/2014