Athletic complex contract approved

PORTALES -- A contract for a $2 million construction project that will bring a new softball diamond and six new tennis courts to the athletic complex for Portales High School received unanimous approval Monday from the Portales Municipal School Board.

Portales Schools Superintendent Johnnie Cain told the board Monday that the new softball field and tennis courts will consolidate venues for many sports in the same area, including baseball, softball, tennis and soccer matches, and eliminate the need for cross-town transportation for some events.

The new facilities would be constructed on property near Third Street and Kilgore Avenue, according to contract documents.

“We can have a baseball game, a softball game and a tennis match going on at the same time,” he said.

The contract was awarded to Nick Griego and Sons Construction of Clovis.

The project will include a softball field complete with dugouts, bleachers, lighting, a press box, rest rooms and irrigation. It will also include six tennis courts with bleachers, lighting, fencing and perimeter fencing and irrigation, according to contract documents.

Construction is expected to be complete by August 2023. Cain said tennis courts would be ready for play then, but the softball field is likely not to be ready until spring 2024.

The school board also approved a contract with WWRC Co. of Clovis to replace the roof on the main building of Portales Junior High School at a cost of $432,139.78. Cain said construction will begin after the New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority approves the contract.

The board on Monday also awarded a contract for feasibility studies and develop campus plans for James Elementary School and Portales High School, and well as a five-year facilities master plan for the district to Capital Asset Engineering LLC. Of Colorado Springs, Colo. The cost of the contract is $156,192.

In other matters, the school board on Monday:

n Approved the purchase of a Chevy Silverado three-quarter-ton, four-wheel-drive pickup truck to serve the agricultural programs at Portales High School for about $48,750 from Hamilton GM Country of Portales. Cain said the truck replaces a 12-year-old truck.

n Heard some discussion about state Public Education Department efforts to extend the school year for middle and high school students from 1,080 hours per year to 1,140 hours.

Cain invited board members to attend a meeting on Nov. 29 at which funding proposals for adding extra hours will be discussed.

The state Legislative Finance Committee and the Legislative Education Study Committee are considering funding additions to encourage more school hours.

Cain said the district would try to add the hours without adding days to the school year.