Stokes-Beard Elementary’s new gymnasium will not only serve as a storm shelter for students and staff but also for nearby community members.
Columbus Municipal School District trustees on Monday approved a design that would have only the gymnasium portion of the building built to storm shelter specifications, allowing for an occupancy of 995 people.
With that design, the total occupancy of the school – about 600 students and staff after grade span consolidation is completed – could shelter in the gym as well as nearby residents on a first-come, first-served basis.
The gymnasium is one of several projects funded by the district’s $36 million bond voters approved in May 2024. While original estimates placed construction costs at $2.8 million, the price quickly ballooned to $6.4 million in February with the addition of full storm shelter requirements for the building.
Along with the gymnasium, the building will house two bathrooms, storage and office space, as well as two classrooms dedicated to music and art classes.
The newly approved design for the building will run the district roughly $5.4 million in bond funds, according to new estimates provided to the board by PryorMorrow.
During the meeting Monday, trustee Dennis Dupree asked about the impact of the new design cost, which is nearly double original estimates, on the district’s remaining funding.
“Some of the items that came in a lot lower than we initially expected; this is where those additional funds would go,” Chief Financial Officer Holly Rogers told the board. “So, we would still be in the budget we’ve set for the projects that are currently being worked on.”
Figures provided by CMSD in February show the district has saved roughly $5.7 million on bond projects so far when comparing original cost estimates to actual bid prices and approved change orders.
Columbus Building Official Nathan Katona told The Dispatch he doesn’t anticipate any issues with the revised design for the Stokes-Beard gym.
“My understanding is they’re superseding anything required by the code,” he said.
Also during Monday’s regular meeting, the board adopted new officers for the next year. Robert Smith was reappointed as president. James Richardson was voted vice president, and Cynthia Brown was named secretary. Each vote was unanimous.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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