The Johnston County School Board will spend nearly $1 million for a replacement for the Field House on the campus of Smithfield Selma High School.
The former field house was torn down last summer after safety and health issues were raised about the building. Photos of mold and standing water in the former facility were presented by a parent of a SSS athlete to the Smithfield Town Council in March 2016, prompting Mayor Andy Moore to send a letter to the school board demanding immediate action be taken.
Officials responded by blocking access to the building. They also ordered maintenance staff to solicit bids for a new roof, electrical and plumbing but the work never took place. A decision was made in May 2016 to tear the building down and the building was removed.
Fast forward to May 2017. The school board voted earlier this month to spend $950,267 to building the new facility that will include restrooms and locker rooms for student athletes.
Dolores Gill, Johnston County Public Schools Chief of Staff said, “The project is due to begin in late summer and will take 12 to 18 months to complete. This project will be in process during the same time the new roofing project is occurring as well.”
Quadrant Construction Company of Jacksonville, NC was the low bidder at $888,100. An additional $62,167 was awarded for design and construction administration fees. The total price tag was placed at $950,267.
It will replace a mobile restroom unit that has been in place behind the baseball field and track since the Field House was torn down.
“This is an exciting opportunity to provide a modern facility for our stakeholders,” Gill added.
