At the Gilmer County Board of Education meeting last night, the Board went further in depth for the construction items of the Athletic field and the Agriculture Facility. Much of the discussion came as updates for changes discussed in the Board Retreat. Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes went over several bids recommended by Parrish Construction including Advanced Sports Construction for the 80 oz Astroturf, the fencing around the band practice field to be constructed next to the high school, and for replacement Field Equipment as much of the old equipment is being relocated to Clear Creek Middle School. Dr. Wilkes also presented the guaranteed maximum Price for these 3 projects to not exceed $1,785,773. This is for these three projects alone, though former superintendent Dr. Charles Webb told the council this is still around $50,000 under budget.

This does not include certain “soft costs” that the Board is expecting, certain fees and such payments that the BOE will pay for itself outside of the Parrish Construction contract.

With the Agriculture Facility, Dr. Wilkes updated the Board that plans were coming in for redrawing the facility to both expand the show ring and update the aesthetics of the front side of the building. Construction is considering to place the facility closer to or further away from the road. The “catch” here is that if the facility sits closer, it will cost more to level the slope of the hill the building will sit on. If it is further away it will cost less but the building will sit lower and you will look slightly downward at the facility from the road.

As the construction moves forward and the E-CAC Committee continues to oversee the project, Dr. Wilkes will continue updating the Board and citizens for these projects.