Process Change Could Save $$$ At New School
Postponing Gym Construction Could Save $1.5 Million Or More At New CHS
Just days before its unveiling of the plans for the new Commerce High School, the Commerce Board of Education will consider a major change in how the school will be built.
The school board is scheduled to meet tonight (Wednesday) at 7:00 to consider a plan that could save it $1.5 million or more in construction costs — but leave the high school without a gym for one to two years.
Superintendent James E. “Mac” McCoy said that the architects came up with the proposal.
“If we could live without a gym for a year and build it in one phase, we’d save $1.5 million,” he reported. “There are still some details to work out. It’s great for the community to be able to save that kind of money and get what the community needs.”
McCoy said he’s talked with board members individually about the concept, and “they’re all on the same page.”
That was not to say that the decision had been made, McCoy cautioned.
“We’ve been working through some of the scenarios and possibilities, the pros and cons,” McCoy said. “We’re working with the architect and construction company to get some better numbers instead of guessing what it will cost.”
McCoy says he’s gone over the possibilities with Athletic Director Steve Savage and the coaches.
“The coaches are concerned,” McCoy noted. “We’ve talked about what can happen and what they can do. They’re team players and certainly understood saving the money and putting it back into the community.”
The costs savings would come from being able to bid the project as one phase instead of multiple phases, McCoy explained. Without the change, he added, the project appeared destined to come in above the $20 million bond Commerce residents approved for the new school.
If the board opts for the change, the process of building the school would begin with the demolition of the gym. Ultimately, however, the gym will end up in the same place, with the same design.
The change may also require two classes to be held in portable classrooms for the duration of the construction.
Being without a gym will affect the basketball and wrestling programs in particular. McCoy suggested that the middle school gym can be made available and hinted that CHS teams might even play “home” games at other schools.
“There are some things we’re looking at and talking to some of our neighbors about,” he said.
