Oct 13, 2015 By Terry Kish 4 min read

Dave McLean of McLean Architects was at the Upper St. Clair School Board’s committee meeting on Oct. 12 to report on capital projects that could be considered as the board develops budget plans for the future.

USC Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick O’Toole commented that projects that he considers a priority and that need addressed this year include replacing the turf at the high school stadium and paving projects at Streams Elementary and the high school.

The cost of replacing turf, installed nine years ago and a year out of warranty, is estimated at $485,000. The cost estimate for paving at Streams, which includes milling and resurfacing, is $287,625, and paving of Panther Pass at the high school is $37,375.

If the board votes to move on the three projects, advertisement for bids would be expected to happen in January, with bid opening and the awarding of contracts in February 2016. Materials would be ordered in March and April. Construction would not start until June, after school is out. Work would be expected to be complete by the end of July.

Looking toward the future, additional plans that may be considered include building a new structure at the top of the home-side bleachers at the high school stadium that would include new restrooms, concession stand and press box. As an option, the building could also include a floor for new administrative offices, another item on the capital projects list.

Resurfacing the existing bleachers at the high school stadium and renovating the existing concession stand and restrooms were also on the capital projects list, as were options to repair the decking on the pedestrian bridge at the high school or remove the bridge.

Long-term projects also included a field house with restrooms, concession stand and press box at Boyce Middle School field, and the addition of a storm water capture tank at Fort Couch so the water could be used to irrigate the playing fields.

McLean told the board that the high school pool was another item that needed to be considered in future planning. The five-lane pool was built in 1967 and was not updated in the 1996 renovations to the high school. While there have been no major problems with the pool, it is well past its expected life span, and McLean said this could be a project that moves to the forefront at any time.

McLean presented two options for the high school pool. For an estimated $2.3 million, the existing pool could be expanded to a six-lane pool. The second option, estimated at $4.9 million, would infill the courtyard between the arts and athletic wings with a six-lane or eight-lane pool, bleachers and locker room.

Board members discussed approaching the township and swim club about partnering for funding this project. Dr. O’Toole said that he would also contact the advancement office about fundraising possibilities for the future capital projects.

McLean also addressed the board about floor conditions at Boyce Middle School. He said a section of the sub-floor in the addition at Boyce that was built in 1990 was built on expansive soil, causing the floor slab to lift. McLean advised grinding the slab level, patching it and covering it with vinyl tile for a cost of less than $5,000. The flooring would be monitored, and if the problem would re-occur, a full replacement of removing the slab and removing the expansive soil might need to be considered.

At the same meeting, Amy Lewis of Maher Duessel presented information on the annual audit report for the year ending June 30, 2015.

In other business, the board recognized maintenance technician Ronald Devey Jr. and bus driver Peter Wray for their years of service to the district and wished them well on their retirements.