The Weatherford Public School Board of Education voted to reject the five bids it received for the new track and turf at Woody Roof Field during a special meeting Wednesday.
The board will reevaluate the plans with architect Roy Easley before rebidding.
The decision came after the board realized the bids were higher than the initial $1.2 million estimate. The project is funded by 0.5 percent of the new Yes Weatherford penny sales tax which went into effect in October. However, that number is capped at $1.25 million. In addition to the track and turf project, the district also needs to purchase an HVAC for the high school.
Since local sales tax has been down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was agreed there was no guarantee the district would receive the entire $1.25 million.
Board member Bryan Bayless asked Easley why the cost was higher than what they initially discussed. Easley, who also is contracted for the school bond projects, said prices have gone up and he does not expect them to go down much, if at all. In addition, plans for the project have expanded to include creating an eightlane straightway section of track and possible soil neutralization.
Easley and the board discussed some ways to save money. One idea was to ditch the eight-lane straightway and continue with the sixlane, saving about $100,000. However, this would prevent the district from hosting some tournaments. The board also discussed resurfacing the track with better material rather than replacing it entirely.
The board will review and possibly approve the new bid packets at its February board meeting. The bids may be approved as early as March.
There are some concerns regarding finishing the job in time for football season. football coach Reagan Roof said the season was scheduled to open the first week in September. Depending on the scope of work, the contractor would need to begin in April.