Sportsplex decision delayed

Florence - They've nicknamed it "Mount Florence," said sportsplex architect Stanley Tomblin.

During a city council work session Tuesday, the finance committee, along with Tomblin, the project manager, and parks and recreation director and assistant director, discussed future funding for the sportsplex project and why a formidable rock formation recently discovered underneath the project site was a surprise. Removing the rocks and boulders is projected to add more than $1 million to the project.

Tomblin said 20 borings were made at the site before the start of construction at the sportsplex, especially in places where deep cuts would be made. The site is just off Savannah Highway in west Florence.

"We made some educated guesses," Tomblin said. "We did not hit any bedrock."

The water department had encountered rock when building its water tower, so it was agreed to keep the fields at the sportsplex to the opposite side, he said.

"One question always is, 'Why didn't we take more borings?' " he said, such as a 25-foot grid, rather than the 100-foot grid.

One rock peak was missed by 5 feet on three corners, said Phil Stevenson, city project manager.

Tomblin said the normal procedure is to drill test holes just under buildings to make sure the buildings can be supported. Tests were also conducted for soil, and Stevenson said all information was made available to contractors.

During the bidding process, a unit cost per yard was included should workers encounter rock, Stevenson said.

The finance committee delayed its recommendation on the $1,368,183 change order for removing the rock and the expenses for off-site water and water transportation to an irrigation pond.

City treasurer Dan Barger said $500,000 to pay the extra expense could come from the city's insurance reserves, and the rest could come from capital reserves.

During its regular meeting, council members did not vote on the projected extra costs. Councilman Leland Howard, head of the finance committee, said a presentation by Stevenson and Tomblin at the next council meeting was important to inform the public what was done.

"This council has been open to the public," Howard said.

In other business, the council voted to: