Elfstrom estimates juuuust a bit too high

Contractors will be invited to re-bid on a revised Elfstrom Stadium expansion project after initial bids came in twice as high as the Kane County Cougars and forest preserve officials expected.

Bids from construction managers and sub-contractors totaled $11 million, more than double the $5 million Kane County Forest Preserve District officials were willing to spend on the renovation, forest preserve commission President John Hoscheit said Friday.

But Hoscheit said the changes will not impede construction. Demolition is scheduled to begin at the end of the baseball season so the renovations can be unveiled on the first day of the 2008 season.

The Kane County Forest Preserve commission's executive committee on Friday approved moving forward with the re-bidding process using a general contractor format instead of the construction manager format originally used. Officials hope this will cut costs because subcontractors will submit costs directly to each general contractor, Hoscheit said.

The renovation will add a second-level seating area and other amenities to the ballpark, owned by the forest preserve and leased by the Cougars minor-league baseball team. Officials from the forest preserve and the ball club tweaked the plan, replacing some materials with cheaper alternatives and undertaking other "value engineering" work designed to bring down the project cost, Hoscheit said.

"We hope the number will come back more in line with our expectations," said Hoscheit, a St. Charles Republican.

Bids will be accepted starting Monday to Aug. 30.

The expansion will add 18 suites and two general seating areas, restrooms, a concession area, administrative offices and an expanded box office to the 16-year-old Geneva stadium. The improvements were negotiated as part of the Cougars' new 20-year agreement with the forest preserve.

Commissioners plan to sell $5 million in bonds to fund the project. Extra costs would be funded by the Cougars.