Trustees vote to replace Galt High grandstands

GALT — Despite their age and the year they were constructed, the grandstands at Galt High School have been deemed safe by a structural engineer but they are not up to current standards.

At a special meeting earlier this week, the Galt Joint Union High School District board of trustees decided to close and demolish the current grandstands, and use temporary bleachers through the end of the school year. There were concerns that teams would be forced to hold games outside of the district at a venue such as the Lodi Grape Bowl and not host any home games.

This option will cost a total of $62,000, which includes $26,000 for setup and teardown of the rental stands and an ADA ramp plus five months of rental costs and the installation of asphalt walkways, according to a report presented by Barrish, Pehlam and Associates.

Board president Mathew Pratton voted in favor of the motion.

“This option addresses the safety issues,” he said. “It gets us through this season with a plan to have the new grandstands in for next season.”

Removing and replacing them is estimated to cost close to $1.5 million and take 10 or more months, leaving the school without bleachers for a season and possibly affect high school graduation, depending on the timing.

Another option discussed Tuesday was to make minor repairs to loose and broken boards and install temporary safety measures such as guardrails, step closure panels and chain link installation under the seating at an estimated cost of $31,000.

While this approach would not resolve all issues, including the ADA measures, the district felt it would greatly improve safety conditions and could allow time to prepare for a full replacement within a reasonable schedule, according to a report.

However, any funds spent on improving safety of the stands would be lost money as a demolition would eventually occur, staff reasoned.

“Demolition and use of temporary stands in our option is the lowest risk and best use-offunds option,” Chief Business Official Corey Reihl wrote in the report.

Also at Tuesday’s special meeting, trustees discussed funding for the district’s Facilities Master Plan and a budget timeline for both Liberty Ranch High and Galt High facility improvements, as well as sustaining the athletic fields and technology infrastructure.

Action on those items will take place at a later date.