The preliminary concept for Phase 1 of the Twisp sports complex, to be completed this year. The town is calling for a second round of construction bids because the one original bid exceeded the project’s budget.
Construction of a baseball/softball field and soccer field on an existing all-purpose field south of Twisp Municipal Airport is delayed because the lone bid the town of Twisp received exceeded the project’s budget.
The town’s Public Works Department called for a fresh round of bids on the project on Wednesday (May 22), asking contractors to respond within one week. Work can begin on the fields as early as late June and should be completed within two months, Twisp Public Works Director Andrew Denham said.
Construction of the two fields — phase 1 of a sports complex that will ultimately include two more ballfields, a restroom/concession stand and a playground — must be completed this year for Twisp to receive a $450,000 grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office. The town set aside $50,000 of its own funds to help pay for the project.
The one original bid, from Rains Contracting of Malott, exceeded the budgeted amount by $54,761, Denham said — which would have more than doubled the town’s share of the cost. Paying the extra was not an option, Denham said.
“We just don’t have those kinds of funds to do that,” he said.
The new call for bids removes some of the original details in the project in order to reduce costs: some concrete curbs, roofs for the dugouts, and a special grass seed mix for the outfield.
“We’re hoping by changing some things up to have a more competitive bid” with multiple bidders, Denham said.
The town puts the cost estimate for Phase 1 of the sports complex at $325,000 to $360,000. Before additional phases of the sports complex are built, the town will need to receive additional grant money.
