With a construction cost estimate of $900,000 over budget, the Konocti school board voted on Wednesday, Nov. 1, to omit second-story fitness and weight rooms from the new Lower Lake High School gymnasium.
The gymnasium is to be constructed behind the Konocti district office on the LLHS campus. The project, as previously envisioned, included an upstairs weight room above the boys” locker room with stairs and elevator for access.
Project architect Steve Kwok of Quatrocchi Kwok Architects told the board that the increase in estimated costs was due to the size of the building”s foundation, the amount of structural steel and its mechanical systems. Kwok noted, however, that the district would realize some savings from a reduction in costs for wood, insulation, equipment and electrical.
“The estimated cost came in at $9.3 million on bid day,” Kwok said, adding that the current budget was $8.4 million.
Kwok said the board had two options, one of which was to increase project funding to match the estimated cost; the other was to reduce the size of the building. Kwok said that the second option was the one that he would recommend. “This will reduce your costs by about $1 million.”
Kwok said that the fitness room could be located in the existing boys” locker room, adding that part of the cost of refurbishing could be paid with state modernization funds. He added that the auto shop could be moved adjacent to the metal and wood shops, with developers” fees used to construct the new building. The mat room, Kwok proposed, could be moved into the existing auto shop facility.
Dr. Mark Cooper, who sits on an oversight committee for the use of bonds sold through Measure G, asked about gymnasium aesthetics minus the upstairs facilities. “The gym and its functionality will not change,” Kwok said. “I think it will still be very attractive.”
The board voted 5-0 on Wednesday to approve removing the second floor, stairs and elevator and for gymnasium plans to be submitted to the Department of the State Architect.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
