GILROY—Nearly a year and a half after being deemed “not structurally sound” by San Jose-based Duqette Engineering, the home side bleachers at Gilroy High are officially complete.
Gilroy Unified School District Manager of Maintenance and Operations Dan McAuliffe presented a Notice of Completion for the Gilroy High School Garcia-Elder Sports Complex bleacher repair work to board trustees at the Oct. 2 meeting, which they approved.
The project—done by Gilroy-based EF&S Concrete Construction, Inc.—cost $223,580. Construction wrapped up before football season began and the bleachers were ready for Gavilan’s first home game on Sept. 6.
“This project was done basically on budget and on time and performed very well.” McAuliffe told the board.
“We love to hear that, both of those; both on time and on budget,” trustee Mark Good replied.
“Early and under budget is OK, too,” added trustee James Pace with a laugh.
The bleachers were condemned in June 2013, just prior to Gilroy High’s graduation ceremony. They were then closed and gated off and portable bleachers were brought in to accommodate spectators in the interim.
The GUSD approved its contract with EF&S Concrete Construction, Inc. on May 15 and crews began making the bleachers habitable again. The bleachers are now ADA compliant with wheelchair ramps and handicap seating, the structure has been reinforced and the stairs have been replaced.
