Low base bidder emerges for school repairs

PONDERAY — Panco Construction is the apparent low base bidder for work to improve Sagle and Kootenai elementary schools.

Lake Pend Oreille School District officials unsealed bids for the projects on Wednesday. The bids were taken under advisement and without discussion.

A decision on which contractor will be chosen is pending.

Panco, of Spokane, Wash., turned in a base bid of $1.14 million for Sagle Elementary and $3.86 million base bid for Kootenai Elementary, resulting in a combined bid of $4.95 million.

TW Clark Construction, also of Spokane, submitted a combined bid of $5.18 million, while Idaho-based

Contractors Northwest bid the two projects at $5.29 million. General contractors Leone & Keeble of Spokane submitted a combined bid of $5.38 million and Graham Construction in Spokane bid $5.59 million.

Along with the bids for heating/air, plumbing and electrical upgrades, the five contractor firms also turned in bids for alternate projects at each of the two schools. The alternate projects include heat and air systems at both schools, in addition to electrical and plumbing upgrades.

The alternate work includes an intrusion alarm system, gym heaters and air-handling units at Sagle. Classroom furnaces, a gym sound system and a sidewalk extension are listed as alternate projects at Kootenai.

The improvements are being funded through a $10.95 million supplemental levy approved by LPOSD patrons in February.