Bids approved for Weber Leisure Center renovation project – Chicago Tribune

Skokie Park District commissioners approved a bid package at a special meeting Feb. 8 totaling nearly $3.7 million for a major renovation of the Weber Leisure Center.

The approval of the bids allows the Park District to move forward with the project, with construction scheduled to begin in March and be completed in October, said Supt. of Recreation and Facilities Michelle Tuft.

According to Park District officials, the project will include significant interior design changes along with a renovated entrance; an improved Fitness First health club, including a new group exercise studio addition and complete locker room rebuild; new first- and second-floor corridors with renovated office space; a new gym viewing area and track lobby; a new and expanded main staircase; and a new spin room and Pilates studio and more.

Officials estimated the project to cost some $3.5 million. Though the bids came in slightly more than that estimate, officials said the overage can be covered using some park district reserve funds.

The main bid package approved by commissioners covers a wide array of areas that are part of the renovation work. The bids cover work for demolition, concrete, structural steel, masonry, carpentry and drywall, millwork, roofing, sheet metal and wall panels, aluminum glass and glazing, acoustical ceilings, flooring, painting, toilet portions and accessories, lockers, fire protection sprinklers, plumbing, heating and cooling and electrical.

Only one bid regarding ceramic tiling was rejected because it came in higher than expected, Tuft said. That work will be rebid, but it will not drive up the total cost, she said.

Tuft said 17 other items, called alternates, were also put out for bidding as possible additions to the project, but staff recommended only three.

Those were a fire alarm system for the building at $55,974, replacement of the concrete in the entry plaza at $43,639 and new front entry letters for the facility at $13,185.

"All approved alternates will be funded from the recreation fund, separate from the projected budget," Tuft said.

Park District staff told the board that they likely would come back in the future and ask for approval for three more alternates: replacing light fixtures in the fitness center for energy efficiency, adding wood lockers and benches upstairs in the hallway and installing an audio-video system for the current meeting room that will be used for additional functions in the future.

Late last year, the Park District decided it needed to reconsider the initial Weber Leisure Center project bids because they came in higher than expected.

The rebidding shifted the timetable. The Park District's original plans called for the groundbreaking to occur last October and the project to wrap up in August.

misaacs@pioneerlocal.com

@SKReview_Mike

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Bids approved for Weber Leisure Center renovation project - Chicago Tribune