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Adrian gym project hits major snag

By Lori Ehde
Few major construction projects are completed without hitting a bump or two along the way.

The new high school gym project in Adrian has encountered its first bump - and it's a big one.

Adrian School Board members learned at a recent meeting that the site for the new gym is located directly over a city storm sewer and water main.

The current site, located north of the existing high school, is occupied by playground space. But for the gym project to continue, an arrangement with the city of Adrian will be necessary to reroute those water and sewer lines.

Cost estimates for such an arrangement have been pegged at around $16,000, but another meeting between the Adrian School Board and the Adrian City Council will be set in the coming weeks.

According to Adrian Superintendent LeRoy Domagala, it's not the sort of bump in the road that will halt the project; it's just something that will have to be worked out between the School Board and City Council.

The first bids for the project have come in for the precast walls at $400,000. Board members had estimated that part of the project would cost around $310,000.

The board has until June 15 to accept or reject the bids.

With a 66-percent show of voter support, the $2.6-million Adrian gym bond passed in December.

Construction will start in September 2001, and completion is expected a year after construction begins.

The facility will include a new high school gym, multipurpose room and community fitness center.
The current gym will be used for plays, concerts and grade school sports.

ItÕs estimated that the 20-year bond will increase property taxes on a $100,000 home by $104.

Plans specifically include:

oCompetition-level gym designed for two sections of physical education and bleacher seating for 800,
oTwo varsity locker rooms with an office, toilet and shower facilities,
oAdditional uniform storage and laundry facilities,
oFitness and weight training room with an area for aerobics and adjacent toilets,
oOffice/dressing and shower room for visiting referees, staff and coaches,
oMultipurpose room large enough to accommodate wrestling mats and physical education programs,
oLobby space with a concession/ticket stand,
oPupil rest rooms as required by assembly space and occupancy codes.

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