The Wayland Board of Education Monday evening was given an outline of the 19 recommended pool construction project bids later this year by representatives from Triangle Construction.
The total cost of the 19 bids came to $17,604,534, a slight increase over the estimated bill of $16,987,113 made earlier, but Supt. Tim Reeves pointed out the sheet of water in the facility now being built is 40 percent larger than original conceptions. The increase in cost amounted to $617,421.
“We’re all very excited,” Reeves commented. “This is a great moment, with this beautiful addition to our high school.”
Triangle reps proudly noted that most of the construction bids were awarded to West Michigan firms, and two were awarded to J and F Lawn and Snow Services and Oetman Excavating of Wayland.
The work bids included concrete, masonry, interior carpentry, paneling, windows, drywall, painting and wall covering, excavation, fire protection, mechanical, lighting and plumbing and electric.
The pool was the most important and costliest part of the bond proposal the schools put together and was passed by local voters in May 2023.
School board members are expected to review the bids at the work session Monday, Jan. 27, and recommendations and vote on them at their Feb. 10 meeting.
The Board of Education also was given a preview of the project to renovate the newly purchased administrative building further west on Superior Street, the former home of the University of Michigan Health Center that now is operating on West Superior next to United Bank.
Reeves said there will be two community rooms inside and a new wrinkle with an open cafe between them. The larger of the two rooms, 1,829 square feet will be used for board meetings with maximum occupancy of 125.
“We had hoped be in there by the Fourth of July, but a more realistic goal is by the start of the next school year,” Reeves said.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board:
- Reported the latest revenue sharing check from the Gun Lake Tribe and Casino amounted to $1,013,147. The board voted to use 21 percent for both instruction and community and 14 percent for transportation.
- Agreed to purchase two new International school buses for the 2025-26 school year.
- Learned the cost will be $33,000 for constructing an American with Disabilities Act compliant walk to the middle school ball fields.
- Re-elected Theresa Dobry president, Jeff Koon vice president, Pete Zondervan treasurer and Becky Hohnke secretary.
- Watched and listened to a presentation by Baker Elementary Principal Amanda Nast about some of the things students and staff are doing this academic year.
