Board to eye Smith River gym adjustments

The Del Norte County Unified School District Board today will discuss making changes to the Smith River Elementary School gym project to lower the cost of construction.

Bids to build a new gym at the school in Smith River came in $900,000 over the cost estimate.  Construction was estimated to cost about $2.3 million.

The school district, the gym’s architect and the Smith River community have been discussing ways to change the project to lower costs.

Changes could range from minor adjustments such as using different flooring material to major modifications of the structure. In addition, the district maintenance crew could do some work that would not have to be included in the bid.

“The important part is that we get an agreement,” said Superintendent Don Olson.

Once the board makes a decision, the district could re-bid the project in January and award a contract around March.

“We could be in a position to start in April and finish in November,” he said.

The board meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at the district offices.