Overton BOE Makes Cuts On LA Stadium Project

The Overton County School Board has made some cuts to the Livingston Academy stadium renovations to meet its budget.

The school board approved $4.3 million for the project some two years ago. Chairman Mike Hayes said construction costs have inflated since then making the original plan almost double the cost.

“The budget came in on everything we had at $8 million dollars,” Hayes said. “So at that point, we started going back and where can we cut, what can we do. Things of that nature.”

Hayes along with the architects of the project reduced that price to about $5.9 million after several subtractions. Hayes said the seating capacity has been decreased from 3,500 to 2,700.

“We looked at the home side bleachers. Currently today, we are at 1,800,” Hayes said. “We originally planned it going to 2,500. We cut that back down to 2,000, and we cut down the visitors from 1,000 to 700. Just by doing that saved us about $200,000.”

Hayes said only paving the field house and leaving the current area will save $200,000. Hayes said switching the walkway around the field from concrete to asphalt saved about $400,000. Hayes said the size of the concession stand and restroom facility also decreased in size.

“When an architect sets the number of restroom stalls needed, you have to have so many per male and so many per female,” Hayes said. “So when we reduce the capacity of the home and visitor that reduced the number of units.”

Hayes said the planned event center switches to a full weight room saving some $400,000. Hayes said the project also saved $500,000 by not certifying the storm shelter with the state.

Hayes said since the school board originally allocated $4.3 million, members would need to approve the price difference once bids are received. Hayes said the goal remains to have the stadium prepared for the next football season.

Hayes said the revised renovations are currently out to bid and should come back sometime in February.