ROCK SPRINGS – It was a busy night for the Building and Maintenance Department as the Sweetwater County School District No. 1 board awarded several bids. The board also heard updates on some of the major projects currently underway in the district.

In his report, Building and Ground Director Dan Selleroli gave an update on an issue which recently surfaced. With all the rain this springs, Selleroli said Lincoln Elementary took on a lot of water due to a drainage issue.

He said the district is working with the city of Rock Springs on the issue as several homes in the area also took on water due to the drainage issue. The district will continue to work with the city and should go out to bid on the issue as soon as possible to help fix the problem.

As he does at every meeting, Selleroli again reminded the board these projects are paid by major maintenance dollars which are provided by the state. These funds can only be used for repairs and renovations.

Stagecoach Elementary

Selleroli gave a brief update on the progress of Stagecoach. Recently the district granted the contractor on the project an extension. He said they have once again approached the district for another extension.

Selleroli explained the building needs a firewall built and  was completely missed by everyone involved. Even with this, Selleroli said they are not going to grant another extension to the contractor.

“We are not going to keep extending the deal,” Selleroli said. “Hopefully by July 22 we will see a huge difference.”

Sage Elementary

At last month’s meeting, Selleroli told the board the cement siding on Sage Elementary is cracking. The building is still under warranty and the district has told the contractor it needs to be repaired. Selleroli said all the materials have been ordered and the project should be done by the first of August.

Rock Springs High School

There are several projects moving forward at Rock Springs High School. The first issue Selleroli focused on was shifting of the ground.

The property the high school sits on was originally owned by Union Pacific. As most residents know, Rock Springs has a lot of mines which have been back filled by grout over the years. Selleroli explained while the building itself is not experience ground shifting, the outside of the building is. Specifically near the bleachers and outside near the shop classes.

Selleroli stressed several times during the discussion of this there is no danger for students or employees.

The district is going to put in monitors where the shifting is most active to watch how much shifting is taking place. While they monitor this, the district will make the decision if the want to go and grout these areas.

After declining the first bids on the Rock Springs High School swimming pool to try to get a better cost, the project continues to move forward. Selleroli said they are going to drain the pool, re-bid the project and pick a contractor the district will then work with the contractor to develop a plan to demolish the pool. Also during this part of the project, the district will also fix the ceiling lights and tiles. Once they get the first steps started, Selleroli explained to the board they would then go out to bid on the decking and locker rooms at the pool.

Bids approved

The board award eight bids on different projects on Monday night.

Vaughn’s Plumbing and Heating of Rock Springs was selected to do the ventilation at the Bus Barn. The project will cost $226,643 and Vaughn’s was the only bid received.

KR Goble Construction was award the bid for the Rock Springs High School natatorium ceiling and lighting. KR Goble was the only bid received and total cost is $297,000. This is also paid by major maintenance funds provided by the state.

KR Goble was also awarded the bid for the renovation of the facilities office in the amount of $507,000. Three bids were received but one bid was incomplete. KR Goble was the lowest bidder by approximately $60,000. Both KR Goble projects will come from major maintenance funds.

The bid for the Northpark Elementary School kalwall/ceiling replacement was awarded to Alta Construction in the amount of $291,876. There was three bids received with Alta being the highest. Selleroli said one of the bidders did not bid the alternate and Alta was the better option for the long term. Major maintenance funds will also cover the costs.

The special education kitchen at Rock Springs Junior High will get a new look this summer. The board awarded the bid to GBI in the amount of $74,447. There was four companies looking at the bid but only two submitted proposals. GBI was the lowest of the two bids received by approximately $20,000. Major maintenance funds will pay for the project.

JC Jacobs was award the bid to do the Rock Springs Junior High auditorium flooring. The project has a base costs of $84,570 with two alternative bids if extra needs to be done.

JC Jacobs was also awarded the Overland Elementary school flooring and counter top replacement. Cost of the project is $211,970. Two bids were received with JC Jacobs coming in approximately $60,000 lower. Both projects are covered by major maintenance.

The junior high roof replacement project was awarded to Redd Roofing. in the amount of $519,987. Redd Roofing was the lowest of two bids received by approximately $20,000. It also is covered by major maintenance funds.