Stadium complex architects hired

Elyria School Board hired Architectural Vision Group for $750,000 to design a stadium complex on the south side of the city.

The company designed Elyria High School, and administrators spoke of their trust in AVG.

The projected cost of the stadium complex is almost $13.4 million.

Also, a first Master Plan presentation by Paul Rigda, who oversees construction of the new buildings and stadium, is 5:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at a location to be announced.

Syed S. Abbas, president of Architectural Vision Group, 23850 Sperry Drive, Cleveland, said the stadium complex project was separated from the school buildings because the state is not involved in the stadium.

The architecture firm for the school buildings has not yet been selected, he said.

For the design, AVG develops a master plan for the stadium complex in two phases. Phase 2 is a south part of the complex with a baseball field, tennis courts, baseball field house and parking, according to an outline of work presented by AVG.

As money becomes available for phase 2, then the design will begin for that phase, according to the outline.

The stadium phase includes synthetic turf and an all weather polyurethane track for $1.6 million; a field house with locker rooms, coaches’ offices, weight room, concessions, ticket booth and restrooms for $2.8 million; new 3,500-seat home grandstand for $980,000; new 1,500-seat visitor bleachers for $360,000; new stadium lighting for $225,000; parking for 300 cars and drives for $1 million; and clearing of about 20 acres of land for $120,000, according to estimates.

The district has an option of hiring a construction manager at risk for the stadium, or a general contractor, Abbas said.

For the school buildings, the state requires hiring a construction manager at risk, he said.

Some money is set aside for soil boring samples, surveying and legal fees, Abbas said.