Salina firm Harbin Construction won the bid to build a new dining hall for Barton Community College’s Camp Aldrich. The original dining hall was destroyed by a fire last April.
Dean of Administration Mark Dean said bids for the replacement dining hall were received on Nov. 5.  A special Board of Trustees meeting was held Wednesday to approve the bids and to approve hiring a new employee. The board followed Dean’s recommendation to award Harbin Construction the base bid and several options, for a total of $2.35 million.
Subcontractors are Ferco, Fleming Masonry, A&F Enterprises, Haynes, Nisely & Sons, Otis, Jainer and Artistic Polish.
Since construction will take at least eight months, Camp Aldrich won’t be open next summer as the administration had hoped. Dean said he’d already notified the people in charge of Camp Hope. Last year the camp for children who have cancer or have had cancer was moved to the BCC campus, and the plan is to have it there again.

Help from Kans for Kids
The Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation took over operation of Camp Hope last year, after the American Cancer Society said it would no longer sponsor the camp. Dean said he was in contact with Camp Hope people during the process, and the project includes some things on their “wish list.”
“The cost of the base bid, the options, the kitchen equipment and the architectural costs exceed the agreed insurance settlement by $298,566.99,” Dean’s summary statement noted. “Kans for Kids has agreed to fund the difference up to the amount of tax credit dollars that are available ($300,000).”
Harbin Construction’s base bid was the lowest of five bids, at $2,093,000. The highest bid was $2,316,000, from a Wichita firm. Augusta firm Zernco Inc.’s bid was close at $2,175,420, but that firm did say it could do the work in 180 days starting Dec. 18, compared to Habin’s 240 days starting upon notification. Dean said the BCC architect has not worked with Zernco before, and although in theory that firm could have the work done by June 1, the facility would not be ready that soon if there are weather delays, as there usually are. Other firms allowed between 300 and 365 days to complete the project.

Add ons
The options approved by the trustees are a gable roof and columns on one end of the building for $61,050; a picnic roof shelter for $100,250; and stained concrete for $8,950. Dean explained that the new dining hall has more inside space by using what was previously a covered outdoor patio. The picnic roof shelter adds a new covered outdoor area that will extend to the area known a Melanie’s Garden, a Camp Hope memorial fountain that is often the background for wedding photos at Camp Aldrich. The floors will be polished gray concrete throughout the building, and the stain option will add some color. Dean said some money may be saved by only coloring the concrete in public areas.
Fixed kitchen equipment is equipment that is hard-wired or plumbed. The $160,000 architectural fee has already been taken care of by the insurance company (as has demolition of the destroyed dining hall, for $14,500), making this a $2.5 million project.
The new hall will have an elevator and roomy accessible rest rooms in the basement. This was an area where the college chose to go beyond what the insurance company would pay for; insurance would only pay for a chair lift and a “one seater.”
Furnishings and replacement items are not included in these bids, but will also be covered by the insurance company.

Cause unknown
When fire destroyed the dining hall on April 12, the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office investigated and quickly ruled it was not an intentional fire. However, the cause was “under investigation” for months. On Wednesday, the Great Bend Tribune contacted Communications Director Doug Hubbard, who said the investigation is now closed. The cause of the fire was ruled “undetermined.” “There were two or three areas they looked at,” Hubbard said, but the cause will never be certain.

Personnel
In other business Wednesday, trustees approved hiring Dr. Scott Vann for a new position, director of institutional effectiveness. This person will be responsible for assessment and accreditation details. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman said the position was included in the budget. Vann will coordinate work that is currently divided among at least five faculty and staff members as “extra duties.” He will report to Barton’s vice president, Dr. Penny Quinn.