Field Observation Services

Posted: February 27, 2009

At its meeting on February 26, 2009, the Board of Education approved engaging Thomas Graceffia & Associates to perform Field observation services at Palatine, Conant, and Hoffman Estates High Schools. The Board had awarded bids for the installation of artificial turf systems and track replacements at these schools at its January 15, 2009 meeting. Three separate contractors were approved for these projects, with work on all three fields scheduled to begin in mid-May and for completion by August 1, 2009.

Given the scope of these projects, the Board also approved engaging day-to-day field observation services to ensure greater accountability to the District for contracted services. Field observation services will include attendance at all construction meetings to establish procedures, requirements, and review of drawings and specifications, and site visits to each school. Further, field reports will be provided to the District on a weekly basis, with detailed contractor information and verification of project schedules and use of specified materials.

Two firms were interviewed that could provide the prescribed field observation services, and the Board approved engaging Thomas Graceffia & Associates to perform these services at Palatine, Conant, and Hoffman Estates High Schools at a time and material cost not to exceed $47,250.

 

Posted January 16, 2009

At the January 15, 2009, meeting, the Board of Education awarded the business for installation of an artificial turf system and track replacement at Conant, Hoffman Estates, and Palatine High Schools as listed below:

Conant High School .......................................... Cooling Land Concepts ($1,583,200)
Hoffman Estates High School ........................ Chicagoland Paving ($1,750,000)
Palatine High School ........................................ Henry Brothers ($1,475,000)

Sealed bids were opened and evaluated. Bid specifications were sent out to 19 vendors, with seven returned. The specifications include the Astroturf XPE System, with recycled EPDM infill (no crumb rubber or sand is included in the infill mix), All three projects are scheduled for completion by August 1, 2009.

 

Posted: October 17, 2008

At its October 16, 2008 meeting, the Board of Education approved engaging W-T Engineering to provide civil engineering design and contract and construction administration services for artificial turf systems and track replacements at Conant, Hoffman Estates, and Palatine High Schools at a cost not to exceed $109,500 ($36,500 per field project).

The Board of Education approved the concept of installing artificial turf and track replacement for stadium sites at all District 211 high schools (Fremd, Schaumburg, Conant, Palatine, and Hoffman Estates) at the April 10, 2008 meeting. Further, it engaged W-T Engineering for the development of bid specifications and the evaluation and selection of an artificial turf system at Fremd and Schaumburg High Schools. Bid specifications included provisions for underground drainage infrastructure, base material installation, and artificial turf components.

With the completion of the stadium field projects at Fremd and Schaumburg High Schools, student groups and classes have already utilized and updated schedules to maximize their field’s use for physical education classes, marching band, spirit groups, football, and soccer.

As reported previously, full funding for the remaining artificial turf system and track replacement projects has been earmarked in the Capital Projects Fund. These designated funds include several non-property tax sources, including the sale of District 211 property on Ela Road several years ago, interest earnings, and settlement proceeds from two asbestos cases where District 211 has recovered costs involved with the removal of asbestos from schools in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Again, it is important to note that funding for these projects has already been designated and is available in the Capital Projects Fund, and it is not related in any way to the Education Fund referendum proceeds from 2005.

Additional information on artificial turf and track replacements can be viewed at: http://www.d211.org/pdf/Stadium_Surface_for_board10-16-08.pdf.