Four firms bid grandstand

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SIDNEY — Shelby County commissioners will announce during their regular meeting, Dec. 29, whether they will award a contract then for a new grandstand at the Shelby County Fairgrounds.

The former grandstand was demolished in March because it did not meet insurance regulations. The Shelby County Agricultural Society rented bleachers for use during the 2016 fair.

Commissioners opened four bids, Thursday. Shelby County Engineer Bob Geuy ascertained that required documents had been provided and read the bid amounts.

Sturdi Steel Co., of East Lansing, Michigan, submitted a bid of $749,000. The bid by Outdoor Aluminum Inc. was for $534,000. E and D Speciallty Stands Inc., of North Collins, New York, bid $649,840. The last bid opened was by GT Grandstands Inc., of Plant City, Florida. It was for $524,760.

The commissioners voted to take all four bids under advisement. They, county engineers and members of the fair board will evaluate the proposals during the next week.

The engineer’s estimate of the cost of a 1,480-seat, roofed grandstand was $530,000. The figure does not include lighting the grandstand or the track. Ohio law dictates that only bids within 10 percent of that estimate can be accepted.

Jerry Schaffner, secretary of the fair board, said Thursday that decisions about whether to award a bid will include consideration of how much money has been raised to fund the project.

On Dec. 15, he reported that $246,000 in grants, $175,000 in pledges and $69,000 in cash donations had been raised, to date. Fundraising is ongoing. Donors can contribute to the project by contacting the Community Foundation of Shelby County at 497-7800.

By Patricia Ann Speelman

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4824.

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