GILROY
– Construction on a gym designed specifically for students with
physical limitations at Gavilan College is running slightly behind
schedule, but it’s still expected to open well in time for the
start of the fall semester.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – Construction on a gym designed specifically for students with physical limitations at Gavilan College is running slightly behind schedule, but it’s still expected to open well in time for the start of the fall semester.
The Adaptive Physical Education program at the college, which serves students with physical and psychological disorders, including arthritis and multiple sclerosis, will move into its new 10,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art home in May.
In an update to Gavilan trustees on the progress of construction Tuesday night, Project Manager Casey Michaelis said crews encountered a few setbacks during the first nine months of construction.
“The contractor (has) experienced some delays on the project due to inclement weather, unforeseen conditions, and, as on any project, coordination issues,” said Michaelis, of Kitchell Capital Expenditure Managers.
Rushford Construction, of Santa Clara, is working weekends to make up for lost time, he said.
The center was anticipated to be “substantially completed” by Feb. 6, but that date has now been pushed back to Feb. 17.
Fran Lopez, dean of the Disabled Students Program, said her staff is developing a new Adaptive P.E. program, but, for now, the biggest benefit she sees is being able to move existing classes into a state-of-the-art facility, which will improve the quality of the program.
“The dream has been 13 years in the making,” said Jan Bernstein Chargin, public information officer for Gavilan. “The shortest part of the project will be the construction.”
It took more than a decade to obtain state funding for the nearly $3.9-million project. Those funds include a $3.1 million construction bid and “soft costs,” such as architect’s fees, inspection fees and engineering fees, Michaelis said.
The Adaptive P.E. and Activity Center includes a fitness and conditioning center with a half-basketball court, full volleyball court or two badminton court capabilities. A human performance lab will hold special equipment and adjacent locker rooms.
Several Adaptive P.E. classes are conducted in Gavilan’s swimming pools. Classes held on land make due with the limited facilities available, Chargin said.
“There has been a cramped, makeshift area off one of the locker rooms that has been used during the construction of the (new) building,” she said.
With the new center, Gavilan will likely be able to serve even more people with special needs.
“There will certainly be more (classes) as we have better and bigger facilities,” Chargin said. “Certainly, people who are current Gavilan students can benefit from the program. … It’s a great program for seniors, for people who are recovering from physical injury and need special services.”
Students must have a verified medical need to participated in Adaptive P.E.
Since the start of the project, the board of trustees has approved change orders totaling $78,652 for unforeseen construction costs, such as removing rock. The state provided $165,000 for unexpected costs, roughly 5 percent of the project’s budget. By law, change orders cannot exceed 10 percent of the construction budget.
“Generally, we like to see 5 percent for a new building,” Michaelis said. “At this point, we’re looking good … but we still have five months to go.”
The project includes a remodel of the college’s women’s locker rooms, which is already complete, Michaelis said.
