By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Few big projects are easy ones. On March 22, construction at the new $4.82 million USD 428 Support Facility on east 10th Street in Great Bend was halted due to a nearby explosion. Recent rains have exposed another problem. Tuesday afternoon, the USD 428 Board of Education approved $500,00 for the addition of concrete to the front of the property. Assistant Superintendent John Popp presented the issue.
"From the get-go, we knew the parking lot at the Support Services Building might need some attention," he said. "It was part of the original plan, and we cut it out thinking there was potential to not necessarily have to touch it a whole lot. With all the work and activity around there, it's become apparent that we need to fill in."
The board approved funding up to $500,000 for the installation of concrete to be poured around the front half of the building. The project also includes installing a base rock and asphalt millings on the back half of the property. Superintendent Khris Thexton called the improvements necessary.
"Coming into a big project like this, we knew we'd have additional prices," he said. "We honestly thought maybe that asphalt would last us a little longer than what it would, but the heavy equipment just pulverized it."
Food services will deliver its goods to the back of the building. Board Member Lori Reneau asked if that also needed to be paved to accommodate the heavy trucks. Director of Grounds and Transportation Cody Schmidt explained that because 10th Street is a state highway, all runoff from the concrete must be carried toward the back of the property. Installing concrete at the back of the property may be something district staff can do in the future.
"All that has to be deferred through this swell that runs right along the edge of the property back to the retention pond," he said. "Having an expert do all that takes the liability off the school district, and this here can always be flowed straight to the retention pond. Over time, that's something I think the district can keep in-house."
The board agreed to reexamine more concrete work in the future. Popp said if specific bids for the concrete work come in under the $500,000 approved, the money will be returned to the district or used on other contingency issues with the project.