The school district will go to bid next week for demolition of the aging third of the Commodore Center, a 50-year-old wing beset by a sieve-like roof and other problems.
Under an aggressive schedule approved by the school board Thursday, district officials hope to award the winning bid on June 12 and have most of the work done by time school resumes next fall.
The project will see demolition of about 35,000 square feet of Commodore, including the gymnasium and cafeteria.
Total cost, much of it for repairs to the rest of the building, is estimated at $1.57 million.
Design would then begin in November on a new 2,000-square-foot wing on the east side of the building, capturing as interior space several corners that are now part of a courtyard.
The Commodore project is part of a larger package – $2.6 million total – of “critical” capital needs board members are considering financing through non-voted debt.
Other projects would include roof and siding repairs on several school buildings; replacement of the boiler at Wilkes Elementary; and installation of a security camera system on the Bainbridge High School campus, to combat ongoing vandalism problems there.
Because a comprehensive capital bond levy is several years off, a bank loan or line of credit is likely.
A final board decision authorizing the debt awaits the return of Commodore bids in early June.
– Douglas Crist
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***Forum tackles landfill’s future
Tuesday evening, the Association of Bainbridge Communities will host a public meeting at the library to discuss potential uses of the former landfill site on Vincent Road.
Representatives from ABC, the city, Bainbridge Disposal and a citizen’s advisory committee will make presentations on the history, current activities and potential uses of the 40-acre site, now home to a recycling station.
The property served as the island’s dump from 1940 to 1979. In 1986, ABC alerted the community to creosote waste at the site, which became the subject of extensive cleanup efforts. In 2001, Kitsap County completed excavation of the contaminated portions of the property, which was deeded to the city last year.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. May 27 in the Bainbridge library. Information: 842-5313.
