Project Budget For Freitas Renovation

[UCONNJACK]

$2 million dollars budget for non expansion Freitas renovation on upcoming BOT agenda.

https://boardoftrustees.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1799/2018/07/Att.-24-Freitas.pdf

 

[kibblesnbits]

I don't get this. They previously got $475K for design. This step, which is still labelled "design", is requesting another $2M, of which $800K is for design and $100K is for "construction." Furthermore, most of the rest of the $1.3K defined costs are administrative. Will there be any real work done or is this purely more expensive design and administration? Add to that a contingency of $700K on a $1.3M estimated costs (potential 50+% overrun?) makes this sound like a real boondoggle.

 

[auggie22]

I agree it is awkward ( particularly such a large project contingency ) but I had a different read on this request. I think it is the cost estimate for the project following design.

 

[FDNY99]

If you go back and read the report that was done for the facility build out it was stated that engineers had looked at the roof on Freitas and stared it needs to be replaced. This kind of money would be that exact type of project. Basically a band aid on it to prolong its life span and/or allow it to be converted to a practice facility.

 

[Adios]

I am sure the women would still use it.

 

[CL82]

 

[CL82]

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Freitas was a key component of my early weekend nights during NHL's 2004-2005 lockout when I was missing hockey so much. Couldn't beat the $2 student tickets and out the door by 9:30 if there was some other plan that night.

 

[husky8273]

also from the 6/27 BOT minutes:
"Chairman Kruger announced the establishment of an ad hoc committee to review the finances of the Division of Athletics. Vice-Chair Denis Nayden will chair the committee."

 

[CL82]

also from the 6/27 BOT minutes:
"Chairman Kruger announced the establishment of an ad hoc committee to review the finances of the Division of Athletics. Vice-Chair Denis Nayden will chair the committee."

Rut roh.

It's a good thing I guess, but it could be step 1 to some cost cutting that we, as fans, may not like.

 

[SubbaBub]

In most capital programs, the construction funding comes later. What this says is that they are still in the design development phase. The money to build is in future budgets.

 

[kibblesnbits]

That’s how I would interpret it too. However, diesn’t $2.5M seem high for designing a relatively minor renovation. Furthermore, if they need that much of a contingency in the design phase, God help us when they get to actual construction.

I’m probably reading too much into it as take away the massive contingency and $1.8M starts to sound more reasonable. Presumably, the contingency would cover engineering work, if necessary, related to the roof replacement FDNY cited, but after nearly $.5 M in preliminary design work you’d think they’d at least have a handle on the scope of the final design required and the costs to complete it. I would certainly be asking a lot of questions if I was on the board.