Moses Lake selects builder for Sage Point

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake school board voted to accept a low bid of $10.68 million Monday to construct Sage Point Elementary School.

The bid was made by T.W. Clark Construction of Spokane. Three other bids were received, ranging from $10.78 million to $11.38 million.

Asked how soon construction could begin, Architect Brent Harding responded he believes it could begin in 10 days.

"They're rarin' to go," he said. "They're eager to get started."

In addition to accepting the basic bid, the school board accepted bids from T.W. Clark for improvements to Lakeshore Drive, Hermit Road, Peninsula Drive and utilities on Hermit Drive. They also accepted a bid from the company to install carpet tile from Mannington, the preferred option out of several.

Special Assistant to the Superintendent P.J. De Benedetti said after the meeting the elementary school will cost a total of approximately $11.8 million, including site improvements. Of that, the district will pay about $5.75 million and the state will pay about $6.1 million.

De Benedetti said the goal is to have the elementary school open in time for school next year.

The school board decided not to approve a bid for a specific type of irrigation system in the courtyard, which would have cost $70,000.

De Benedetti explained the system irrigates grass from the roots up rather than from the top down, using an underground pan system.

Harding said at the meeting the price for the project was surprisingly high and he didn't believe the upgrade was worth the price.

The district also decided to wait on a bid for wiring, as part of the school's audiovisual construction, De Benedetti said. He said the district is going to investigate whether to hire a subcontractor for the job.

"(The bid is) good for 60 days, and so we're recommending at this time you hold out on that decision," Harding said at the meeting.