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$27M in upgrades at Talawanda include 600-seat auditorium, 2-story gym

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By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer Updated 9:06 AM Monday, March 8, 2010

OXFORD — The Talawanda Board of Education has approved bids totaling more than $27 million for construction work on the district’s new high school.

The board also recently approved several alternative projects upgrading materials and lights to be a higher quality, easier to maintain or more energy efficient.

The new school will include a 600-seat auditorium with a sloping floor, a cafeteria that can seat one-third of the student body at a time, a two-story gym with 150 special seats with backs and an upper level walking track and larger science rooms.

The project drew 67 bidders, with work going to the Skillman Corporation with assistance from SHP Leading Design.

“All of the bids did come in very well in comparison with our estimates,” said Skillman project manager Brian Meyer, who said the project is $2.5 million under budget.

The approved alternatives include $245,000 for terrazzo flooring in the main corridors.

“You’re paying a premium for a better material that can take wear and tear,” said design architect Charlie Jahnigen.

The board at its Feb. 25 meeting also approved $141,000 for LED lighting in the parking lot, which uses less energy.

Other projects include $3,700 for sod around the front of the building, $5,400 for a resin wall panel in front of the auditorium, $2,400 for slip resistant ceramic tile in coach’s locker rooms, $5,200 for porcelain in 10 teacher bathrooms, and $2,900 for a glass tile wall in the entry to the main bathroom.

Also approved was $37,000 for concrete paving throughout the site, which will require less maintenance.

The board held off on approving money to purchase solar panels at the new building until the district could apply for a $150,000 grant from the state. The solar panel system would cost $280,000 and could power lights and computers in eight classrooms.

Board members have said they would only buy the panels if the district gets the grant, and will discussed the solar panels at the March 15 board meeting.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or mengle@coxohio.com.

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