Crews wrap up rock removal at sportsplex

After a hefty process, with an equally hefty $1.1 million price tag, officials with the parks and recreation department say they’re 99 percent done with the rock removal at the new sportsplex.

Russ Lambert, project manager for the sportsplex with B.H. Craig Construction, said he thinks the project is in the clear to continue.

“I don’t see anything else that can come up out there,” Lambert said.

Tina Kitchens, parks and recreation director, said the rock removal set back the project by about 60 days.

Lambert said much of the progress is continued work on sportsplex buildings: The maintenance building, the baseball, softball and soccer buildings and the gatehouse.

“Those things are in different stages,” Lambert said. He expects the buildings to be finished by the first of the year.

The fields are marked, and the field contractor is working on mixes for the ground, he said. The fields could be finished in four to six weeks.

“You never know what you’re going to run into with the weather,” Lambert said.

Exterior electrical equipment is being installed, and the irrigation pond is being graded, he said.

Paving and sidewalks might be the last part of the project, Lambert said, but they also need city approval.

“We’re still waiting back here on the rock issues,” Lambert said.

The city council must approve an amendment to the 2007 fiscal year budget that includes the additional $1.1 million for rock removal. The council will address the matter Tuesday.

Paving and sidewalks may be eliminated if the change order is not approved.

Portions of the land on Gunwaleford Road had been checked for rock before the project started, but none was found. Once work began this year, the rocks were uncovered and stood in the way of land preparation.

The entire project is expected to cost some $13 million, including $5.5 million in land preparation, but not including the rock removal.