School might be back in session at Española Valley High School, but not every part of the school is ready. The top level of the gym, the upper bleachers, has been blocked off to students using yellow hazard tape.
The bleachers are under repair, however, how to fix them, what additions to make, and how much money to spend are all still being discussed by the Española School Board.
School Equipment Inc. hired Ernie Padilla and his staff to complete the original contract, which was approved by the board during a special meeting June 22. The $240,000 contract was to refurbish, not replace or upgrade, the upper and lower level bleachers at the high school, Gilbert Sanchez, the District’s procurement officer said. This included replacing broken foot boards, seats and risers, refinishing existing seats, replacement of the hand rails that go up the bleachers, known as P-rails, new safety rails, and new, higher-powered motors.
Padilla said the understructure of the bleachers were filthy when his crew first got there. Not only had dirt and grime accumulated, nuts and bolts were missing and the metal braces had bent in many places, causing problems when trying to close the bleachers. He said the weight of the press box had bent the metal understructure of the bleachers.
“The wheels are off the ground. The understructure is not level, and that’s when you start to have a problem,” Padilla said.
He said the problem is that the bleachers will not close properly. The bent metal braces won’t roll into each other.
Once their work is complete, Padilla said the bleachers will be able to shut without force. It will also be safe.
Sanchez said if no further work is requested by the board, the bleachers should be complete and ready by Nov. 1, just in time for basketball season.
The price, Sanchez said, was originally $320,000 but was negotiated to $195,000, plus approximately $20,000 for 80 safety rails. With tax, the amount comes to $240,000.
However, during the Aug. 21 regular school board meeting, Superintendent Danny Trujillo said that once the contractor got on the site and started looking at the structure of the bleachers, more work had to be done. Trujillo said in a separate interview the original contract had been to refurbish all the bleachers. However, the Board thought this was too much money and scaled the contract back to only fix the hardware, the motors and the floorboards, Trujillo said.
“Cosmetically, nothing is being done except painting the floorboards, which is to comply with ADA regulations,” Trujillo said.
When the contractor began work it was discovered the steps and P-rails needed additional attention, Trujillo said.
“Now, it’s a safety issue,” Trujillo said.
The P-rails were retrofitted to the steps without proper supports underneath the bleachers. Trujillo said for the P-rails to be safe, a metal rail needs to be attached underneath the steps.
In addition to these safety concerns, Trujillo said he will be meeting with contractors this week to see how much money it would cost to add chair backs to all the lower bleachers.
During the board meeting, Trujillo made a case for chair backs. He said the District could charge more for the chair back seating area, so it would be a nice way to make money. The second reason he was in favor was the public perception.
“They’re not going to see the bang for their buck,” Trujillo said. “Sure, refurbishing the bleachers is good for the students and the athletic program, but the public needs to see where their money for the GO (general obligation) bond is going.”
“It would be nice to see chair backs so the taxpayers can see their money at work,” board member Lucas Fresquez said.
Trujillo said to add chair backs to the lower level of bleachers would cost approximately $200,000.
“Do we have it in the coffers to spend an additional $200,000?” board member Andrew Chavez asked.
Trujillo said presently there was $450,000 allocated to work on the high school bleachers.
“Who set $450,000 aside for bleachers,” board member Pablo Lujan said. “I don’t remember that decision.”
Trujillo said he didn’t know, but looking at the budget breakdown of the GO bond money, $450,000 is budgeted for bleachers.
Sanchez interrupted the discussion with a question.
“Do we need to stop ,” Sanchez said. “Because we do have a project going on.”
Sanchez said depending on which company the District chooses to add chair backs, all the work on the understructure currently being done may not be necessary. Sanchez said some contractors could submit bids to install all new bleachers.
Board president Ralph Medina did not think that was necessary.
“Don’t stop ,” Medina said. “As a courtesy, we should let them do the uppers.”
Trujillo recommended the board hold a work session solely on the bleachers.
Trujillo said there are two options. The contract with School Equipment Inc. may be extended to add this work, or they can put the project out to bid. Trujillo said the matter will be brought in front of the Board at the Sept. 4 regular board meeting.