Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 115, No. 9	February 27, 2008

Meade Olin Park repairs are fast tracked as school games near

Messenger file photo
The tornado-devastated practice facility at Meade Olin Park might be no longer, thanks to the acceptance of a bid from the previous contractor to replace the structure. In the interim, teams are practicing in school gymnasiums before the spring season starts.

By LARRY SEE JR.
Messenger Staff

Amending the county budget was the first step to make necessary storm-related repairs to Meade Olin Park.

County officials amended the budget to accept an expected $550,000 insurance check, to pay for needed repairs at the park following the mid-February tornado.

The funds would come out of a tax fund and when received would be returned, Judge Executive Harry Craycroft explained.

“That would allow us to go ahead and get started on the park repairs,” Craycroft said.

The second step might not be as easy.

Craycroft said the county was on a tight timeframe to replace the building, in part due to the price which was expected to increase after March 1.

Compounding the issue, and a fact raised by Magistrate Herbie Chism, was whether or not the county could bypass the bid requirement, along with the requisite publication notice.

If bypassed, construction could start sooner, but if not, officials might not see a new building until late summer.

Craycroft estimated the building could cost about $80,000, meaning the county would need to use their bidding policy. The building was insured through a pool maintained by the Kentucky Association of Counties, Craycroft said.

He later said the county accepted a package deal, totalling about $77,000 from the previous contractor.

Softball coach Mike Harreld concurred, adding the reason the contractor received the bid was the fact the anchor bolts were in the identical location, allowing the building to be erected quicker.

“It was basically the same building package,” Harreld said.

“We might have to cut back and save on some other areas, but I think we will be okay on the insurance money,” Craycroft said.

Craycroft checked with state officials, who indicated there is a section in the Kentucky Revised Statutes which deals with emergency situations, therefore the bidding policy could be bypassed. He added there was a section in the county code which dealt with the situation, particularly as it relates to health and safety issues.

“It takes six weeks from the day it is ordered (for construction),” Craycroft said.

Magistrate Tony Staples thought Craycroft should see if he could get a variance.

Staples recommended a committee, composed of two magistrates and Craycroft to weed through the other bids, which are under $20,000 and not subject to county’s bid policy.

Craycroft said two vendors submitted bids, but added the inside steel was weakened and the building needed to be completely demolished before rebuilt.

“The bolts would already fit what is there,” Craycroft said. “The same outfit that constructed it previously and another company will bid. There is nothing there they can salvage, it is pretty well shot.”

Craycroft said contractors could salvage interior fixtures, but as far as the building itself there was little to be reused.

Craycroft said other work, consisted of light pole replacement and electrical work.

“We’re going to try to use local contractors as much as possible,” Craycroft said. “Being part of the community, I feel they will be willing to give us the best deal. I am not expecting them to do it for nothing, but they will give it to us perhaps at a minimal cost.”

Harreld said contractors already have started work on getting the damaged materials off site and the new ones installed.

Craycroft admitted the work needed to be completed quickly, adding he wanted Fiscal Court to authorize the bids awarding in the county’s best interest.

By doing so this avoids calling several special meetings to approve bids.

Craycroft said there wouldn’t be one contractor who could come in and do all renovations.

“We would have one do the electric lights and someone else do the dugout and roof and another group the batting cage,” Craycroft said.

“We just need to make sure the bids are the same and you’re comparing apples to apples,” Chism said.

“That should not be a problem,” Craycroft said. “We’ve got about six weeks before the ball games begin and we’ll get as much done as we can.”

Sports booster Laura Haney said the fields and building were originally built using donated materials and labor.

“It was a major undertaking for the high school softball team,” she said. “The original deal was we had to build it using our labor and all the county and to do was insure it and pay the electric bill.”

Haney heard the building cost about $108,000 to construct and it was insured for $45,000, a fact confirmed by Craycroft

“We all use the building,” she said, adding Coach Harreld continually stresses when teams use the facility to ensure they return it to its original condition.

Haney is part of a group of 15 parents who pitch in and help with anything possible.

“We’re there,” she said. “We play ball all year long. As a matter of fact we had a practice there the Sunday before the storm hit.”

In the interim, according to Haney, team members will practice in whatever gymnasium is available.

Harreld was moving equuipment into a gym to be used for practice, but added “there was only so much you could do in a gym.”

He added the damages won’t cause any disruption in the game schedule, reiterating the new building was ordered and the contractor secured to remove debris.

“By the time the first league games roll around they think they’ll have the fields ready,” she said.

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