Silver Creek Board of Education members Gregory Cole (left) and Stephen Boothe (right) listened to a presentation from Jake Mountain of CPL Architecture on proposed capital projects at the district’s most recent meeting. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

SILVER CREEK — The implementation of a new athletic track for the Silver Creek Central School District is inching closer to a reality.

At the December meeting of the Silver Creek Board of Education, the board was presented with an update on the desired capital improvements that were recently put out for bids. Back in October, potential capital improvements anticipated for the summer of 2023 including a new track, the implementation of remote FOB entries on the doors of the school, and improved plumbing were brought before the board.

The district also hoped to utilize its annual $100,000 allotted upgrade funding to purchase various other equipment, such as a plasma cutter and LED lights, but the initial bid came in “almost triple what we are allowed,” according to Superintendent Todd Crandall.

As the bid process was further explored by CPL Architecture acting on behalf of the district, more bidders came forward and the district narrowed its focus.

“We did get three site bids and they are all reputable companies. We got the participation that we wanted,” said Jake Mountain of CPL.

The district placed upgrading the track atop the list of upgrades. Because of the poor condition of the track, Silver Creek is currently unable to host track and field events.

The Board of Education was presented with options on how to proceed, which included the implementation of electronic entrances for up to three of the six doors the district targeted, along with other miscellaneous updates. The plumbing was assessed and no major leaks or active leaks were found. “It seems pretty obvious to us after speaking with our architects that the plumbing can wait,” said Crandall.

With its smaller $100,000 project, the district is likely forced to choose between a fume exhaust hood for the science department and a fume extraction hood involving a laser cutter. The cost for each fume hood greatly exceeded the district’s expectations.

“I don’t think any of us would’ve thought we couldn’t get two fume hoods put in for $100,000. We would have never proposed it if we thought it couldn’t happen,” said Crandall.

In addition to increased costs due to inflation, another reason the process is so costly is the lack of contractors willing to take on the project.

“There is so much work out there right now, contractors are being really choosy on what they bid on,” said Mountain. “Five years ago, we could get 4-5 bidders for a $100,000 project. Now, contractors don’t want to do (smaller) projects.”

Without giving specifics, Mountain shared with the board that other projects in the area – with both municipalities and school districts – have come in at well over expected costs.

“There has been so much federal money put out there and it’s starting to get spent. There is so much work out there and only so many contractors, so contractors are sitting back and picking their jobs, not competing for their jobs like they might have been a few years ago,” Mountain said.

No action was taken on either proposed project at the recent Board of Education meeting.