DOVER — Eckman Construction has been chosen as the construction manager for Phase 1 of two phases of major upgrades to the Dover High School athletic complex.
The company was deemed best suited to lead the development of the fields and structural work of restrooms under the grandstand, as well as a new concession area, according to Fergus Cullen, a city councilor and chairperson of Dover's Joint Building Committee leading the project.
"[We] talked with many companies that are great at building athletic fields," but not as experienced in building construction, Cullen said. Eckman has experience with building construction and construction management of the Dover Middle School.
Cullen said athletic complex upgrades are "long overdue" on the campus of the $87 million Dover High School that opened in 2018 .
"Dover is widely considered to have the worst outdoor athletic facilities among our New Hampshire Division I schools," Cullen said. "Our athletes play away games; they know what other communities have and the advantage that gives them. ... We have a new school we're proud of. It's time for athletics facilities that match."
When will decision be made on artificial turf or grass?
Phase 1 will involve pre-construction and pre-bid price estimates, Cullen said. Pricing estimates will include features such as new lights on the grandstand, the price differences between artificial turf and natural grass , the cost of a new baseball field, a new track and more. By November, Eckman is expected to propose a guaranteed maximum price for construction to be reviewed by the committee.
Previous story: Dover students, residents debate grass vs. turf for school fields
Phase 2 will carry out all of the construction components, including decisions on whether the fields will be equipped with turf or grass and which physical structure options are best suited for each location. This phase is expected to begin in November and be completed by August 2025 for the start of the next school year.
Details on the scope of the Dover athletic complex project
The project is expected to include:
- Replacement of Dunaway football field, which six varsity teams are expected to utilize in multiple sports.
- Replacement of the current rubber asphalt track.
- Replacement of the existing baseball field.
- Replacement of grandstands on the home and away sides of Dunaway Field with seating capacity of 2,000 and 500, respectively, along with a press/coaches box.
- Light tower replacements.
- A building under the home grandstand, of less than 4,000 square feet, to house bathrooms, team rooms, concessions and storage.
- Athletic equipment storage building, approximately 1,700 square feet.
- Facilities equipment building, approximately 5,400 square feet.
- About 100-pluss accessible parking spaces to be constructed near the end zone of the football field closest to the high school.
What will athletic complex project cost?
The Dover City Council and School Board have approved $2.7 million in capital improvement funding for the athletic complex. The project will most likely need additional funding, which the City Council understands, as stated in a construction manager request for qualifications document. The City Council anticipates an additional amount will be asked for its consideration after the pre-bid pricing has been drawn up and the scope of the project is completed.
"We know it is going to exceed costs," said Craig Flynn, Dover baseball coach and member of the Joint Building Committee. "The positives are for the whole community,. When we look at these fields, they are in no condition to play on.
"There will be increased playing time," with the upgrades to the athletic complex, Flynn said.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover High School athletic complex overhaul project takes big step: 'It's time'
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