Port approves more Boyer changes

The Port of Whitman County March 3 approved additional work and changes at Boyer Park and Marina, where construction has been underway to add new RV spaces and install four cabins in the campgrounds.

Port staffer Kara Riebold informed the commissioners of needed additions to the RV expansion portion of the project, which amounts to an additional $44,605 to the project cost.

The Port Jan. 7 previously approved an earlier change order to the project, which involved changing the original engineer design. Those changes included paving a gravel road to the new cabins, rather than routing a new road through an existing campsite that would have meant losing that campsite, tree removal, earth work and grading a slope, as well as eliminating some of the paving of RV pads and foregoing the installation of a water isolation gate and drain traps, which were found to not be needed.

When those changes were incorporated into the budget, the total cost was estimated to be around $756,000, and the new changes actually bring the budget to $702,867. Port Executive Director Joe Poiré said the figure in the previous change order was an estimate, and the new figure represents more concrete numbers.

“The contractor went back and got some actual refined prices,” Poiré said. “That brought us to real numbers.”

Prior to these construction changes, the budget was at $590,569. The changes brought that cost to $635,174, and additional cabin costs totaling $67,694 rounded the total to $702,867.

Riebold said the latest changes will help to ensure that “we do it right,” rather than having to go back and do some things later.

The current changes include paving the north and south areas of the long-term camping area, adding gravel in preparation for long-term camping, replacing concrete lids with cast iron lids on the existing septic tank, irrigation and hydroseed of the grassy area between the cabins and the river and irrigation at the south end of the long-term camping.

The biggest ticket item on that list was the additional gravel, which came in at $13,593. Riebold reported that the contractor does not think he will use that entire amount for the gravel, so there may be some funds left over. A document prepared by Riebold for the commissioners explained the need for the additional gravel, stating that it was “a recommendation from the contractor because the united base specification for gravel in the bid was not sufficient to provide a minimum two inch base as specified in the bid package for the entire long-term portion of the park.”

The recommended cast iron lids for the septic tank are a safety feature, Riebold said, as the current lids could lead to tripping. The current lids are between the playground equipment and bathrooms and are not at ground level. Riebold said the new lids will be at ground level, eliminating the tripping hazard.

The irrigation and hydroseed of the grassy area is actually a fire safety option, Riebold said. She explained that there is currently no safe area for fires away from wooden structures at Boyer, and the document she prepared stated that, “hyrdoseed and sprinkler installation of the naturally vegetated area between the cabins and the river would provide a green space for each cabin to have a picnic area and fire ring.” The option will also reduce weeds in the area.

The fire rings are expected to be available for use by the summer.

The final irrigation ticket is at the end of the long-term parking lot and was not included in the original engineer’s estimate of hydroseeding and irrigation.

Port Commissioner John Love said he felt it was right to approve the changes.

“It’s a lot cheaper to do it now while they’re mobilized and down there,” he said.

Commissioner Tom Kammerzell wanted to make sure these would be the final changes before approving them.

“Are we pretty confident this is a finish number?” he asked.

Riebold reported that these should be the final changes to the project.

The additional cabin changes are to finish the cabins and provide beds in them.

“The cabins right now are shells,” Riebold said. “This will put in vinyl flooring, insulation, ceiling lights, air conditioning, heating and take care of permits, all of that.”

The Port is also purchasing bunk beds for the cabins. The bunk beds will be full-sized mattresses over queen-sized mattresses and can sleep up to four people, Riebold said.

“This will be our last check to the cabins,” she added.

The remaining items needed for the cabins will be purchased by Terry and Leo Haas, who manage the Boyer site. Riebold reported that some of those items will likely be sheets, coffee pots, dishes and other furnishings.