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Bids sought to prepare for complex

By ALISHA CALL
USD 470

At its regular meeting Monday night, the USD 470 Board of Education authorized a call for bids on the general groundwork necessary to prepare the new high school sports complex area for construction.

Some details for drainage specifications have yet to be completed, however, they will be ready in the immediate future.

"It is anticipated that within the next two to three weeks the architect will have final drawings needed for such grading and dirt plans," said Superintendent of Schools Ron Ballard. "When the drawings are finalized, it will be appropriate to call for bids."

Coaches, building administrators and other district personnel met last month to finalize plans for the locker rooms, offices, storage areas, restrooms, concession areas and the press box. Plans for the other aspects of the complex will be finalized at a later date.

Ballard said the architect, representatives from Hutton Construction and district leadership will meet with the ACHS band and athletic booster clubs on Monday to share the plans and to solicit input for details such as tailgating and pre-game areas for cookouts, possible development of a hall or walk-of-fame area that might include inlaid bricks for names, teams or groups to be recognized.

The board also approved an updated agreement with Cowley College for the sharing of athletic facilities, at its regular monthly meeting Monday night.

The agreement states that USD 470 agrees to let the college use its athletic facilities when not being used by the school district. The college agreed to the same thing.

The agreement is set for five years but can be renewed at that time if both parties wish to do so.

"The college has been very cooperative and easy to work with during this process," Ballard said. "We feel this is a good situation for us as a district, the college and the community as a whole."