The Camp Verde Town Council held a work session on Wednesday, April 24, to further discuss alternative methods of construction for the Camp Verde Sports Complex concession and restroom building.
In July 2023, town staff placed an open bid for the construction of the facility. They received two bids, one for approximately $1.8 million and another for approximately $1.35 million, and rejected both bids on the grounds of excessive cost.
During a council meeting on March 20, staff requested that council consider alternative building options and the council requested a work session to discuss the requested changes, including additional fixtures in the women’s restroom, the addition of a family restroom, a larger storage area, a larger concession area and a roof overhang over the concession area. Staff brought back seven revised floor plans reflecting these changes.
The town’s building code requires that each restroom have a minimum of six fixtures, and town staff argued that adding additional fixtures significantly increases the cost of the overall building, which is supposed to remain below $1 million.
The cost of installing electrical service at the facility is currently estimated at $80,000, so town staff recommended that the council keep the cost of the facility below $920,000.
Interim Town Manager Gayle Mabery clarified that formal bids will be submitted later in the process and that the evening’s meeting was intended to give council members an idea of the available products and price ranges.
Director of Public Works Ken Krebbs said that the storage needs at the facility are expected to be mainly for maintenance and basic supplies to reduce maintenance staff’s trips into town.
“Having some reasonable amount of storage space will be beneficial at this stage of the sports complex,” Mabery said, adding that they could add another storage building down the line.
Councilwoman Cris McPhail said that the two examples presented in the $700,000 price range have the facilities that they need, including storage, concession and a family restroom, and that she wanted a unique facade or siding rather than concrete.
Mabery said that the final part of the ongoing phase of the park’s development is the surfacing of the parking lot and adding lighting. There will also be a handicap accessibility path leading from the parking lot.
Vice Mayor Marie Moore asked when the public would be able to expect to have a usable restroom.
“There’s lots of different pieces being bid out at the same time and it all has to come together,” Mabery said.
Moore asked if the best-case scenario would be to have the restrooms operating before spring of next year and project manager Martin Smith said that was staff’s intention.
Mayor Dee Jenkins said she felt confident that the town will be able to make a selection that will be both affordable and suitable for the purpose.
