Othello board talks tennis court design

OTHELLO — A proposal for bids to build new tennis courts at Othello High School should go out to contractors in June, possibly as early as the first week in June. Othello School Board members reviewed the plans for at least four new courts at their regular meeting Monday.

New tennis courts have been discussed for more than a year, and originally construction was planned for summer 2016. But the project was delayed, reworked and revised, and will be re-advertised. “Do we have a pretty good timeline now for when this is going to bid?” asked board member Tony Ashton.

Dale Gephart of Architects West said the time frame would depend on how quickly the changes directed by the board could be incorporated. He said June 2 was set as a tentative date. “We’d probably look at two to three weeks bid period,” he said.

In answer to a question from Ashton, Gephart said he didn’t know yet how much the project would cost, and didn’t want to guess.

The plans as submitted included four courts and building a base for a concession stand (with bathrooms), as well as building bases for lights. The options included adding two more courts, building the concession stand and installing the lights.

Board members Stewart Hilmes and Rob Simmons said they would prefer making the concession stand an option, both the site prep and the building itself. Simmons said that would allow more options for that property, since doing the site prep and putting in the concrete foundation would in essence commit the district to building the concession stand on that spot.

Board members also decided to make the lights, both site prep and installation, a separate option. The bid will include four courts, with options for two more courts, along with options for site prep and construction of the concession stand, site prep and installation of the lights, and wind protection for the courts.

In other business, Ashton asked for an accounting of costs of the district’s lunch program. He said Othello’s free and reduced-price rate might make it more cost-effective to go provide free meals for all students. “We’re employing people now to keep track of who’s paying,” he said. “So to me, there’s a cost.”

Assistant superintendent Gina Bullis said district officials have considered that option in the past, but that it could impact the district’s application for the “e-rate” program, a federal program that helps school districts pay for technology upgrades.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.