R.H. Tyson Construction of Blackshear gave a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $1,157,318 for a new ag arena at Pierce County High School.
The school board approved the GMP at its regular monthly meeting Monday afternoon. The meeting was moved to the afternoon to avoid conflict with last week’s football game, which was played Monday due to the threat from Hurricane Ian.
Rann Tyson of R.H. Tyson Construction said there were some adjustments to the price cutting out parking, paving and decorative brick to cut costs, but he said he believed it was a good price.
School board chairman Duward Boatright said the GMP is the most it could cost.
“We should actually be a little under that,” he said.
School superintendent Dara Bennett said there was about $500,000 left in contingency that could be used for the project.
Tyson said he is currently getting ready to order material and hopes to be ready to begin site prep soon. Construction materials may take up to 10 weeks to arrive.
The ag arena project has been under discussion since April.
Plans call for an ag complex featuring a hog show arena with a judge’s platform and a stall barn for show animals with both facilities separated by a wall to hide the pen area. Gates would allow presenters and their animal to enter the arena. The arena area would have three seating areas to accommodate up to 150 spectators and a half-wall to allow for standing room crowds. The arena would also have a concession stand and restrooms. Large fans would circulate air in the show arena and stall barn area.
The stall barn and arena would be designed to show hogs, but it can be added on to in the future for larger animals including horses.
The facility will be built on the current location of the Jimmy Mock Arena on the high school campus. The stall barn would take in the existing structure. The new building will include the show arena, concession area and bathrooms.
The board already has $500,000 set aside for the construction of the agriculture arena. The additional funding would come from the capital projects funds and the system’s cash reserves.
