Sports Contractors Approved for Armstrong Fields
L.R. Kimball Construction Administrator David Gable explains bids received for construction of baseball and softball fields and tennis courts at the new Armstrong Juni0r-Senior High School complex in Manor Township during last night’s special meeting.
Armstrong School District board members approved the low bidders as the new general and electrical contractors, respectively, for the new Armstrong Junior-Senior High baseball, softball and tennis courts.
During a special meeting at West Hills Intermediate last night, eight school directors unanimously approved a $1.3 million contract with Plavchak Construction of Jefferson Hills (Allegheny County) for general construction and a $71,000 contract with Mashan, Inc. of Home (Indiana County) for electrical construction.
Only Board Director James Rearic was absent from the special meeting.
School Superintendent Stan Chapp said a total of four bids each were submitted for the general construction contract and the electrical contract
L. R. Kimball Construction Administrator David Gable estimated the project to be between $1.1 and 1.4 million before bids were submitted and opened last week.
Since working on five turf football fields and three baseball fields in his eight years with the Ebensburg (Cambria County) firm, Gable was not surprised to see the contract price increase.
“Prices increase every year – wages go up, materials go up, benefits go up. It’s just a given that prices will go up,” Gamble said. “We told the school district between $1.1-$1.4 million, so we’re right there.”
The price could go up even more if school directors decide to further pursue artificial turf infields at the two ball fields.
The base bids were predicated on the assumption of grass infields, but school directors initially wanted to go with artificial turf infields to cut maintenance costs and increase playing time before hitting a roadblock with Manor Township’s 22-page storm water management ordinance passed at the end of 2001.
Board President Joseph Close spoke with Bureau Veritas Western PA Business Unit Manager Grant Kanish regarding the possibility of a variance by Manor Township Supervisors, and received encouraging news.
“He thought it was worthwhile,” Close said. “He said ‘I think they will work with you to do that.
“Kimball indicated it would change the storm water management system, and it was going to cost us a little bit more money at the time - so at the time, we just said we wouldn’t do it,” Close said. “Now, maybe we can look and see if we can get some variances, meet with some other people and see what we can do to make some changes.”
“I think it’s worth it in the long run because you’re not mowing grass, it’s staying nice – you’re using it for three to four months.”
Board Director Stan Berdell spoke to Manor Township Supervisor Pat Fabian in regard to the field, and also reported that Fabian was open to discussing the ordinance.
Fabian, a former Ford City High School baseball coach, confirmed that report after the meeting. He has personally experienced the transition between field conditions and thought turf fields would make sense long-term.
“What’s it going to hurt if Manor Township, ASD, engineers and (Manor Township’s engineering firm Senate Engineering, of Kittanning) sits down and has a conversation, no different than we did with Steve’s Auto Body?,” Fabian said. “We cut his costs almost in half and came up with something that would appease the township and him at the same time, and was cost-effective.
“This might not work out for the school district, but I definitely think it’s worth sitting down and talking about it.”
Gable estimated turf would cost anywhere from an additional $400,000-600,000.
Business Manager Sam Kirk gave school directors both a monthly breakdown of the capital projects fund.
There is about $8.9 million still remaining in the fund, but, after an estimated $4.1 million of that to be paid to architects and contractors, about $1.3 million in furniture purchase orders, and other expenses, Kirk estimated about $3.5 million remaining.
Incoming Superintendent Chris DiVivo, of Kittanning Township, also attended the special meeting. His former school district, Freeport Area, is also in the midst of updating buildings and athletic facilities.
Gable told DiVivo about the existing storm water plans.
“We have included in this project its own individual detention basins. Everything will flow to that new detention basin, then it flows into the system we have in place,” Gable said.
Board Director Amy Lhote said the field conditions are important – especially at the beginning of the season, when players last year were forced to practice in the school gymnasium.
“We practiced baseball in the gym, and everyone else was outside. That’s crazy,” Lhote said. “Your season starts in March in Western Pennsylvania.”
Board Director Larry Robb estimated that if the district spends 30 percent more, players will get 90 percent more time on the field,” Robb said.
Gable said the school district’s ongoing discussions would not prevent work from beginning.
“It really wouldn’t change the sub grade, so if you wanted, you could get moving while still discussing this,” Gable said.
Conditional permits are also pending state variance board approval toward the installation of bathroom facilities based on the plan for a future football stadium on-site.
Four sets of bleachers will be able to accommodate a total of about 320 fans between the two fields.
Plavchak Construction is known for work on Highmark Stadium at Station Square in Pittsburgh – home to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer team, the Pittsburgh Passion women’s football team, as well as collegiate teams – and general construction of the City Council Building downtown.
School directors will further meet with Manor Township supervisors to discuss installing turf infields to the two ball fields rather than grass or dirt to reduce maintenance costs and possibly increase usability this Spring. Manor Township’s storm water management ordinance currently increases that expense.
Armstrong School District | jweaver July 14, 2015
By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, July 24, 2015 @ 2:48 PM
Rainbow Rider,
Except 99.9999999% of the students “trainin” are NOT going on to make it big. (I’m sure the school board is delusional and think that the NFL, NHL AND MLB are going to be watching this new school closely… because it’s SOOOO FREAKING GREAT AND AWESOME. DON’T WE ALL JUST LOVE IT!)
I hope you all can smell the sarcasm in the air…
ANYWAY… grass is still the best option
By worthingtonman, July 24, 2015 @ 9:38 PM
@steve
I can admit to being hypocritical at times. I think we all are. If hypocrisy is a bad thing I don’t know how you will vote for Hillary or how you may have voted for the pacifier in chief. Just take one point if theirs from the 2008 campaign where marriage is between a man and woman. Now the wind changes direction and they are all for it. I particularly have no view point on that issue but hypocrits they are both. Saying whatever it takes to be elected , but to be fair to them all politicians do the same thing.
@ low fat
U.S. This the first post to be hijacked? Jeeeeeez calling in the admin to intervene? The posts turn around quite frequently. I think it makes for good reading and reflection.
And I agree the turf is bullcrap. Plant some grass and save some money. But everybody sit back and reflect at what position we would be financially if we would have went ahead and used the 80 million to renovate the three schools and they all remained open. Taxes would be skyrocketing. A couple poor decisions do not wreck the overall picture. In the long run we will be better off . I am sure the Elderton crew will jump on this with some sort of explanation but the truth is the previous board refused to discuss the pension increases when borrowing that money. Add that to the millions they blew on other things trying to force the renovations after they realized they had finally gone too far. I think if the money blown every time I drive by the west hills complex and see the enclosed water whatever it is thing that a previous board member caused the district to build after turning them into the epa trying to derail that building expansion which by the way is saving a boatload of money now .
By jd718, July 26, 2015 @ 4:03 PM
The Correct way to say it is Commander-in-Chief.
Show some Respect.. Thanks
By worthingtonman, July 26, 2015 @ 9:57 PM
@jd
Respect is earned. Where were all the politically correct folks at when Bush was president?
By jd718, July 26, 2015 @ 10:05 PM
At this time in his Presidency Ronald Reagan had a Presidential rating of 48%. At this time in President Obama’s Presidency his rating is also 48%. go figure…. Just a thought….
By jd718, July 26, 2015 @ 10:13 PM
@ Just sayin, “Well, when you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.” Ronald Reagan
With Ronald Reagan’s tickle down economics I was feeling the heat of the unemployment line for 8 weeks. It’s funny now, not so much then….
By mad-2010, July 27, 2015 @ 5:39 AM
The Correct way to say it is Commander-in-Chief.
Show some Respect.. Thanks Let’s try this again!
“Respect is earned.” Remember what you said the next time you stick up for Jensen because he was a Veteran…. It’s easy to understand Steve’s post already!
By mad-2010, July 27, 2015 @ 9:15 AM
Steve.. You can always spot a thinly veiled justification for being wishy-washy. It could also have something to do with ones spine. Just a thought..
By worthingtonman, July 27, 2015 @ 9:29 AM
@Mad
All Veterans have earned my respect. So I guess there is a problem with your spine for all the wonderful things you said about President Bush? Being elected into a position does not make you automatically respectable. Obama is presently enjoying a 15% approval rating by the military. These are the guys that count when looking at a Commander In Chief.
By futureconcerned, July 27, 2015 @ 11:35 AM
From an other local paper: “The West Shamokin Softball Boosters are working to raise $5,000 to install a drainage system and coat it with a layer of crushed brick to quickly absorb rain water when it falls on the field.
“We had a rough winter and spring, and with all of the water, the girls weren’t able to get onto the field until their first game,” said Boosters President Zarah DiFilippo. “It makes for a tough season when you can’t get any real on-field practice in.”
The clay-based soil beneath field does not absorb storm water quickly, which creates swamp-like conditions after even the slightest bit of rain, said softball coach Jim Ellenberger.
“The water just sits on the field to the point we’ve had to postpone and cancel several games this year because it was just too wet,” Ellenberger said. “The water just doesn’t dry up like it should.”
The boosters have sent letters to several businesses in Rural Valley, Elderton and Cowanshannock asking for donations. When the money is raised, the club will buy materials and do the drainage work itself.
“The school isn’t the only group using these fields – there are several community and recreation leagues that play there,” DiFilippo said. “We see this as something that will benefit the entire community.”
The boosters hope to have the money raised by the end of the summer so the improvements can be made in August.
“It’s a one-time project that should really improve the field,” DiFilippo said.”
No turf for you!
By Elderton Parent, July 28, 2015 @ 11:11 AM
Well, futureconcerned, isn’t that interesting. I cannot believe that our fearless leaders would not approve the $5,000 for this improvement.
Where is Stan Burdell and Linda Walker when they are needed?
worthingtonman, I am not going to bother with your comments about the $80 million. Going to have to agree to disagree. I am surprised that you are against the turf
By Rat_Smeller, July 28, 2015 @ 11:54 AM
When you say “Mr. President”, or “Commander-in-Chief” you are giving respect to the office of the President of the United States. Not the occupier of said office. Know the difference.
By Marc, July 28, 2015 @ 3:48 PM
I hope you all realize that whatever is left in the capital projects fund will be completely spent regardless if there is a grass or turf field.
By mad-2010, July 29, 2015 @ 5:57 AM
Wman I know where your issue is and it’s not the red, white and blue. However color is involved! Find one derogatory name I called GWB. Nice spin on the approval ratings. LOL Still Wishy-Washy as ever…
By mad-2010, July 29, 2015 @ 6:24 AM
Wman… “The Military Times survey is not scientific and relies on a voluntary response from the publication’s readers. President Obama’s approval rating in the general population is much higher, though still well below 50 percent. In the most recent CNN / ORC poll, he got the approval of 44% of Americans.”
Wman… Looks like your source is not well respected as polls go! It’s also Wishy-Washy like the presenter.
“In the most recent CNN / ORC poll, he got the approval of 44% of Americans.” That’s right up there with Ronald Reagan’s at this time in his term! LOL
By mad-2010, July 29, 2015 @ 6:40 AM
One more thing Wman. Did you count all the dead veterans left from Bush Administration, they count too……
“These are the guys that count when looking at a Commander In Chief.”
By wonderwhy, July 29, 2015 @ 9:03 AM
I think the Administration of this paper should start denying posts that have nothing to do with this article. I get online to read what people are saying about an article and start reading stuff like the above comments. What do they have to do with the sports fields being built? I am sick of reading bickering comments between Jorn Jenson and others! Stick with commenting on the article! Take your bickering elsewhere!
By sickofpayingforit, July 29, 2015 @ 11:32 AM
And the winner is………………
The 165k a year new hire administrator, and the ones who preceeded him!!!!!!
(applause)
This is how I see his acceptance speech-
“I would like to thank all those people who are constantly worrying and bickering over the sports programs in ASD. They have allowed this admin position to largely go unmolested during the years and years of poor performance of our students. I would also like to thank those who are more worried about a baseball field than preparing our young people for college or gainful employment. Without those people, I would never have gotten this job that pays more than four families make in Armstrong County, on average. In closing, I sincerely appreciate all the bickering over the useless stuff and please, continue to NOT focus on the test scores. (crowd laughs) When the tax payers finally start to demand results of these obscene salaries, I may have to switch vocations and learn how to either be an architect or an engineer to keep my hands in the tax-payer filled treasure chest! (applause)
By worthingtonman, July 29, 2015 @ 12:18 PM
@MAD
There you go with your typical response. Play your race card. Feel like a big guy sitting behind a computer and call a man racist. You do that because of your anonymity. You say you know who I am and where I live. Come and be a real man and say it to my face. Obama has zero credibility and very little respect from the veterans. He has even less from the present day Military. And it is not because he is black you empty suitcase. If you remember correctly Conservatives felt pretty much the same way about Bill Clinton. Are you saying it was because Bill Clinton white? It is because Obama degrades them, he does not support them. Most all veterans that died during the Iraq war went willingly to serve their country. They were proud of what they were doing. Their families are proud of their sacrifice. do not try to talk like you know how a veteran feels about anything. You have ZERO credibility when discussing veterans and all they have sacrificed for. You have zero credibility anywhere. I am done answering you again, because all you do is attack mens character when you have no other valid argument. What a sad person you are.
By jorn jensen, July 29, 2015 @ 11:00 PM
wonderwhy - if you choose to only attack me, at least spell my name correctly. You can also call me at 724-954-8270, or you can email me at jorn@consultjensen.com.
My posts, on this topic, question the silliness of a turf versus grass decision when our education results are so poor. Same with Elderton Parent, Scott_Starr and others asking for much improved academics. Distract the taxpayers with turf versus grass and keep them off the topic of education. Read the new superintendent’s acceptance speech, as prepared by sickofpayingforit.
Thank you.
By mad-2010, July 30, 2015 @ 6:55 AM
Wman. Well I guess the Truth Hurts!
“You say you know who I am and where I live. Come and be a real man and say it to my face.”
Wman, You Can’t even get that right you have me confused with another poster I wouldn’t know you from Adam, and wouldn’t want to. ” What a sad person you are.” There is no such thing as a race card. However you are a bigot!
By mad-2010, July 30, 2015 @ 7:54 AM
Wman, One last thing. How do you know I’m not a Veteran? And I’d dare to say both the President and the Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson are Smarter than you are and you called them Idiots!
You said you know what a minority feels like because you once were in a barracks that was mostly black. Talk about Zero Credibility!
However you are a Bigot!
By jd718, July 30, 2015 @ 8:23 AM
It’s called Constitutional Free Speech.
By jd718, July 30, 2015 @ 8:25 AM
Jensen has nothing to do with a discussion that takes form from what one poster says to another.
“It’s called Constitutional Free Speech.”
By jd718, July 30, 2015 @ 8:55 AM
@ worthingtonman,
“The Military Times survey is not scientific and relies on a voluntary response from the publication’s readers. President Obama’s approval rating in the general population is much higher, though still well below 50 percent. In the most recent CNN / ORC poll, he got the approval of 44% of Americans.”
This would be considered a valid argument from Mad-2010’s July 29th post. What the heck are you talking about?
By blutoblutarsky, July 30, 2015 @ 10:44 AM
In this thread we have the following-
Jensen spouting off abortion and then claiming to have zero fault regarding the conversation that ensues (this is textbook trolling and also the reason why people like wonderwhy mention his name first).
Posters arguing about race and ending with “come meet me face to face”. If this blog bothers you THAT much, you need to take a break.
Posters leaving their phone numbers to discuss comments that are already being discussed. What is the point of a phone call? If you want to say something that can’t be put in print here, maybe it’s best to not say it at all. If people’s comments to your posts bother you that much, maybe not posting will solve your problem.
By blutoblutarsky, July 30, 2015 @ 10:48 AM
Also, what data are people looking at when they say the education results in AC are poor? Is this just an opinion or based on actual numbers?
By worthingtonman, July 30, 2015 @ 12:15 PM
Jd
Have you ever seen a mandatory poll? All polls are voluntary as far as I know. It can be sugar coated anyway they like. My point was Obama suffers a horrible approval rating for those that serve under him in the military. My problem was being labeled a bigot. I do not allow the notion that I believe that Mad is a convicted pedophile on Megans list dictate the tone of all my posts.
By sickofpayingforit, July 30, 2015 @ 2:17 PM
Nobody polled me, so I would like to publicly state that I DO NOT approve of Obama. He is the worst president of my lifetime. Medical insurance through the roof, taxes through the roof at all levels, and basically I have LESS disposable income, percentage-wise, than I had 10 years ago.
I sent him an email when MIchelle was on television begging for money for Haiti. I told him I didn’t want my tax dollars spent pan handling for another country when people in the US need it more. I was emailed a reply, signed by Barrack Obama (but I know better) defending the position of using my tax dollars to provide welfare for the world. That did it for me right there……….
By steve, July 30, 2015 @ 2:30 PM
“You say you know who I am and where I live. Come and be a real man and say it to my face.”
I’ve been around a while and I don’t recall anyone ever claiming to know where other commenters live or who they are. I also didn’t realize people take these comments so seriously.
P.S. One anonymous poster busting another’s chops for being… anonymous. That’s funny.
By jerry6, July 31, 2015 @ 7:43 AM
sickofpayingforit: You say Obama is the worst president of your life time. I say George Bush is of mine. He cost this country trillions of dollars going to two wars which have been proven to be false. How many people lost their lives because of this. Look at what this country was like when Bush left office and Obama took over. All of the millions of jobs lost during Bush’s time in office have been brought back. I sure hope Jeb Bush and Scott Walker don’t become president. Bush wants to do away with medicare and Walker wants to do away with social security. I would like to see these politicians give up their lifetime pensions and insurance. I don’t approve of everything that Obama has done but I think this country is better than when Bush left office. Cheny ran Bush’s office so I guess he was the worst president and not Bush.
By blutoblutarsky, July 31, 2015 @ 1:11 PM
worthingtonman- Some time ago Scott Starr made a comment about posts crossing the line. I couldn’t recall any that had, but I think the last sentence in your recent post regarding Mad may fit that bill.
I recall you questioning my character while you labeled all liberals communists in a different thread. Your posts are beginning to speak volumes about the type of person you are.
sickof- My insurance didn’t go up a cent. If your employer provides you with health insurance, they negotiate your rates with your carrier and decide what portion to charge their employees.
By worthingtonman, August 2, 2015 @ 4:22 PM
@ Bluto
So it’s ok for one man to call another a Bigit? It my mind that crosses the line .
There are some labels you just don’t put on some people . Bigot hits hard at me because I am far from it. If others can assume then so can I
By blutoblutarsky, August 3, 2015 @ 8:33 AM
worthingtonman- I’m sure you’re very aware that there has been plenty of conversations on this site regarding racial issues. Usually both sides go on and on calling the other side racists, bigots, etc. I’ll have to remind you that you’ve called people these names during these arguments.
I’ve never seen similar conversations with posters calling one another child molesters. You know why? It crosses the line and is unnecessary.
By Just sayin, August 3, 2015 @ 9:45 AM
Worth: Calling Mad a convicted pedophile? Crossing the line don’t you think?
Some of you are filled with such hatred. I don’t think sane Republicans think the way some of the Republicans on these threads think.
I thought it was BIGOT?
By Marc, August 3, 2015 @ 11:29 PM
Some people’s kids…….
By worthingtonman, August 4, 2015 @ 1:31 PM
Bluto
I don’t know if I have eve called someone a Bugit. I find it very offensive and ugly to be bigoted. A lot of assumptions are made about people in here. The non ending attacks on Jorns Character is a prime example. I know Bigoted people and they are ugly. So yes I took offense to the label. Mad is perfect at fishing it out. Racist and Bugit is his go to statement if you don’t like Obamas politics. So if you think about it,there are a lot if convicted child predators in our area. If you ever check out Negans website you will see that.? Who is to say who might be one and who might not be one? I never he said he was, u said I think he might be one? Who really knows? If everyone is going to be so quick to think it is ok to label people racist and Bugit when you don’t even know them, then dont go berserk if someone thinks maybe you are a predator. Best practice is don’t label. If you are going to denounce me for my statement, then denounce the guy outright calling me a Bigot. Civility goes both ways. If someone is anti Obama that don’t make them a Bigot. If someone is anti gay marriage, that don’t make the a homophobe.
By blutoblutarsky, August 4, 2015 @ 3:29 PM
worthingtonman- I don’t know what to tell you. I looked back on an old thread where you and jorn were calling Steve and Mad racists. It seems a little hypocrytical for you to get so offended by this suddenly. Regardless, many will probably agree that calling someone a child molester isn’t an appropriate response.