Farmington High School Special Building Committee Meeting – November 15, 2024
This meeting was convened to address critical updates regarding the new athletic facility bleachers, an essential addition that aims to enhance accessibility and improve the experience for the Farmington community.
Watch the full meeting here on YouTube 📺
On November 15th, 2024, the Farmington High School Special Building Committee gathered for an urgent meeting regarding a major change order, clocking in at $1,313,753.43, to address the ordering of bleachers for the new athletic facilities. With timing critical, the meeting began promptly at 12:32 PM, called to order by committee members and town officials.
Russ Robinson, a project manager for the high school renovation, kicked off the discussion by stating, “If we don’t get the order in today, we could be looking at significant delays for the bleachers, pushing the installation into next fall.” This would mean potentially conflicting with the start of the 2025 football season—something all committee members wanted to avoid.
Bleacher Costs and Contingencies
- Change Order 174R Cost: $1,313,753.43, funded through the project’s owners’ contingency.
- Remaining Owner’s Contingency: $2.5 million after the change order.
- Alternative Option Considered: Originally priced higher, ultimately rejected in favor of a more affordable solution.
- Cost Savings: Over $100,000 saved while maintaining the same seating capacity.
The proposed change order, Order 174R, will be funded through the project’s owners’ contingency, still leaving $2.5 million in reserves. “After this change order, we will still have $2.5 million on the owner’s side for the remainder of the project,” Robinson explained.
Watch the discussion on bleacher costs here.
It was also noted that an alternative bleacher option, originally priced higher, was reviewed but ultimately rejected in favor of a more affordable solution. This more economical option allows the committee to maintain the same number of seating while saving over $100,000.
The Need for Speed: Bleachers Before Fall 2025
A critical point of concern was timing. “The supplier has given us today as the drop-dead deadline,” Robinson reiterated, citing the national shortage of available bleacher suppliers due to ongoing supply chain issues affecting many construction materials nationwide. The urgency is due to a wave of similar projects across the country—all seeking to finalize stadium upgrades during the off-season, minimizing disruptions to the academic year.
Robinson noted, “If we don’t approve this today, we risk delaying construction to next fall, which would impact the entire fall sports schedule.”
Watch Russ Robinson’s explanation on YouTube.
Reimbursement Considerations
Committee members also discussed potential reimbursement. According to Russ, Bob Selma at the state level is optimistic that the project could qualify for up to a 30% reimbursement on the cost of the bleachers. “Best case, we get 30% back; worst case, we’re looking at a 15% reimbursement,” Robinson noted.
The inclusion of ADA-compliant seating options in the proposed bleacher plan significantly increases the likelihood of qualifying for these reimbursements. Robinson highlighted that, “Wheelchair attendees will sit right up front in the front row of the bleachers, providing a great view of all activities.”
Budget and Future Projects
Chris Niagara asked about other potential projects and upcoming costs. Russ explained that the committee has also looked at replacing the athletic track, but it was not included in the current scope due to its absence from the educational specifications.
Another committee member, Megan, raised the point of a separate contingency fund for the central office building, which remains unallocated and independent of the bleacher project. This fund will continue to be used for related expenses without affecting the current balance for athletic improvements.
Watch the discussion on future projects.
Community Input and Board Perspectives
Committee member Kathy brought up an essential factor: accreditation for the high school through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), scheduled for November 2025. “These upgrades are part of what will keep us in good standing,” she noted. The current bleacher setup had long been criticized for its lack of ADA compliance, and the new design will make the school more inclusive for the entire community.
The committee unanimously agreed that moving forward with this expenditure is the best decision, particularly given the current construction schedule and contractor availability. By approving the bleacher construction now, the committee will avoid needing to mobilize a new set of contractors, thereby saving the school both time and money.
As the meeting drew to a close, Chairman Chris Niagara expressed his gratitude to Russ for his dedication and continuous tracking of the project. “This is a great value add,” Niagara said, “and your efforts are deeply appreciated.”
Watch Chris Niagara’s closing remarks.
Motion Passes and Next Steps
In the final minutes, a motion to approve the change order passed unanimously. The committee then moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:49 PM.
Kate Thompson, another committee member, summed it up well: “If we don’t do this now, we’ll regret it later.”
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Jack Beckett’s Signature
☕ Jack Beckett, Senior Writer, The Farmington Mercury
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