Three more big projects are on track to begin soon for Kingfisher Public Schools.

The board of education on Thursday night approved 17 bid packages to construct a new locker room, remodel the football field concession stand and add on to the ag barn.

The packages totaled $2,891,970.

“We’re right on budget,” said Van Storm at the special meeting. “The budget I had was between $2.75 and $3.1 million.”

Storm is a project manager for Joe D. Hall General Contractors, which is the construction manager for the projects. Joe D. Hall has served in that role for several Kingfisher projects, most recently the new junior high.

The bids were opened just over a week before. The board of education opened the projects for bids at the September regular meeting.

“The market is unique right now and people are hungry to work,” Storm said. “That worked in our favor.”

Storm also had recommended the board lump all three projects into one instead of splitting them up.

There were 65 total bids, an average of 3.82 per package.

The scope of work includes sitework, concrete, masonry, pre-engineered building, building erection, painting, lockers, plumbing and utilities, HVAC, electrical and more.

The total amount also includes Joe D. Hall’s fee of $262,906 as well as a contingency fee of $125,194.

“I felt the budget could stand it in case we have any ‘unforeseens’ or any scope you want to add during the project, which tends to happen,” Storm said.

The bid packages were approved unanimously by board members Jim Perdue, Charles Walker, Carly Franks and Terry Payne. Dana Golbek was absent.

The district still has about $800,000 remaining from the bond fund that was approved for the construction of the junior high.

Superintendent David Glover said that money will be used to help fund these projects.

The remaining will be paid from both the general and building funds, he said.

General fund can only be used on an existing structure, which is the concession stand remodel in this case.

The other two projects must be paid for from the remaining bond fund and the building fund.

At press time, the district’s general fund currently sits at just under $9 million.

There is more than $1.9 million in the building fund.

Storm said his firm has worked with all of the bid winners except one, Cougar King Apoxy, which will polish the concrete floors.

“The company that did the junior high was just too busy right now, but it’s not a difficult project,” Storm said. “We’ll give them a shot.”

Storm said the bid winners will do quality work for the district.

“I feel really good about it..feel really good about the team,” he said. “I’m excited to get started as soon as we get our permit.”

Jon Friesen, the city’s community development director and building inspector, told the Times & Free Press that, in fact, will be soon.

“We cleared up some basic questions and are getting things ready to go so the new construction can proceed as quickly and smoothly as possible,” Friesen said.

He added that the permits would be issued later in the day on Friday.

Storm said a permit will be required from the state fire marshal as well.