Plenty of interest in stadium demolition

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 22, 2009 11:43 pm

— CONNEAUT — A handful of companies want the job of yanking down Conneaut’s crumbling Municipal Stadium, a project that could occur early next month.
Five businesses, including three from the area, submitted bids for the demolition of the decades-old stadium. Bids were opened at noon Monday in the Board of Education office.
Bids were also unsealed for the construction of new bleachers to replace the cracked and unsafe stadium seats. Only one firm submitted a quote.
Quotes varied widely, meaning the bids will be studied carefully for compliance with specifications before a contract is awarded, said Superintendent Kent Houston.
“We have to analyze the bids and find out what’s going on,” he said.
Wallace Heinonen, board president, attended the bid opening and was generally pleased with the quotes. “There was more interest than I anticipated,” he said.
Heinonen said the district plans to put the work on a fast track so it doesn’t interfere with the Conneaut High School home football season. “I want to have the stadium demolished and concrete poured (for the bleachers) by July 10,” he said.
Demolition bids were received from two Conneaut companies, Northcoast Construction ($18,760) and Schwartz Construction ($14,700); Simak Trucking of North Kingsville ($56,815); Mr. Excavator of Kirtland ($36,000) and All Aspects Contracting of Elyria ($38,900).
The stadium seats will be replaced by new bleachers. Dave York Sports of Louisville, Ky., was the only bidder on the bleacher project, submitting a quote of $48,874. Dave York attended the bid opening and said his company was also erecting seats in the Jefferson school district.
In spring, it was learned the stadium — built in the 1930s — could not be insured without repairs estimated at more than $100,000. Hearing that, the board agreed to close the stadium to the public.
The football field may still be used, but the structure is off-limits.