COLUMBIANA — Several upgrades are expected to be made at the Ward Athletic Complex in the coming week.

Columbiana School District Superintendent Dr. Don Mook provided an update on the work during the May board of education meeting.

In his report he said that the new bleachers are expected to be delivered on May 27, with installation that day as well.

The installation work will continue through May 31.

Lighting for the track, soccer and football field is also expected to be completed between May 26-29 with a light system to be installed following pole installation.

Mook said Graft Electric will upgrade the power/amp service and extend power to the new light poles.

He added that four turf companies submitted proposals for the current Ward soccer/football field for athletic turf. The companies were AstroTurf, Field Turf, Forever Lawn, and TenCate.

During the meeting the board passed resolutions entering into a contract with AstroTurf for civil work for the turf project, and to provide and install the new turf.

According to the civil work resolution, “the district intends to utilize state-term pricing or lower construction costs to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with procurement regulations; and a

quote for said civil work has been provided in the amount of $540,283.”

The civil work portion of the project is not to exceed $540,283, plus a contingency of 10

percent. If a change order results in excess of the total cost of $594,311 the board must approve or deny the change order via a resolution.

According to the new synthetic turf installation resolution, the district received competitive quotes through AstroTurf for high-performance surfacing options; and the board has authorized the superintendent to select one of the two options provided, which were RootZone 3D352 (or equivalent) at a quoted price of $467,962 or RhinoBlend 46 (or equivalent) at a quoted price of $442,436.

The authorization is contingent upon the contract meeting state-term pricing or

equivalent lower-cost construction standards.

As for the softball and baseball fields, Mook said in his report to the board that Howells & Baird are working on details for civil work to be completed.