Arena’s construction costs scaled down
Published 12:00 am Monday, February 19, 2001
Estimated construction costs for the multipurpose building at the Mower County Fairgrounds have been scaled down to $5.
Monday, February 19, 2001
Estimated construction costs for the multipurpose building at the Mower County Fairgrounds have been scaled down to $5.258 million, according to County Coordinator Craig Oscarson.
"The three major ticket items were the change in the exterior of the building, reducing the roof size and switching to a geothermal ice-making system," Oscarson said.
After recommendations from the low-bidding contractors, a pre-engineered exterior will be used on the building instead of a combination of pre-engineered and precast construction, the building committee decided at a meeting on Friday.
By reducing the roof height, the proposed mezzanine area will be reduced to a small storage area and seating will be reduced to 1,148 seats, without the possibility of expansion.
A geothermal ice maker will generate heat, which then will be redirected to heat the building. It was considered by the building committee to be the most cost-effective option.
Oscarson said the county has spoken to Austin Utilities about a low-interest energy loan in the past.
"We need to find out if they are willing to do a loan," he said.
The county would have to keep in mind the loan needs to be paid back.
The structural and ice-making changes now will move to the architect, who will be asked to estimate his costs for the project so investors can determine if they want to pursue the project.
Even if the construction bids are in line with the new totals, the architect’s fees will bring the cost of the project to a cost over the $5.5 million budget, Oscarson said.