LARNED — Fundraising is underway for the Fort Larned USD 495 Activity Complex Master Plan as conducted by the district’s Board of Education.

At its February meeting, the board approved Mammoth Sports Construction in Meriden as Construction Manager At-Risk for the project. The design-build plan, at a projected cost of $2.1 million, will commence June 1 and is expected to be complete Aug. 15.

Mammoth, working with its architects and engineers, will utilize local vendors whenever possible in the project, which includes the bidding process.

In its 58-page proposal to the board, Mammoth’s plan includes: a new synthetic surface for Earl Roberts Field, resurfaced track and runways; new discus and shot put areas; new stadium lights; a 6-foot fence surrounding the facility and 4-foot fence around the track; and new sidewalk around the track outside.

The proposal also included examples of similar recent projects Mammoth spearheaded in Abilene, Garden City, Lakin, Rossville, St. Marys, Basehor-Linwood, Topeka-Seaman and Silver Lake school districts, as well as the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. 

Project development

The project has been in the works since August, initiated by board discussion of the care and maintenance of a grass football field versus the installation of artificial turf. The expense of the rising cost of water, fertilizer and other maintenance materials, as well as additional district personnel for maintenance labor, were weighed against the cost of a turnkey turf replacement.

A committee was formed to develop a strategic plan, whose findings included that the best recourse was upgrading with a turnkey project as opposed to repair of existing problems.

At its December meeting, the board voted 4-3 to approve the project, granting USD 495 Superintendent Bryce Wachs the authority to contract a lease-purchase agreement at a maximum of $1.8 million with Farmers Bank & Trust in Larned. Wachs would also oversee committee selection for fundraising as well as contracts using the design-build format.

The turnkey project would be accomplished with no tax increase to the district.

Fundraising ongoing

The balance of the funding has been jump-started by pledges from the local community at $125,000. An additional $100,000 in community support has been also received.

The fundraising committee is currently meeting with potential donors, with several fundraisers being planned for the coming months.