Bathroom-Only Facility No Longer an Option at Athletic Complex, Committee Says

A committee tasked with making sure permanent bathroom facilities are built at Coginchaug High School's new athletic complex is no longer considering building a bathroom-only facility.

Fieldhouse Committee chairman and Board of Education member Jeremy Renninghoff provided board members with an update on the progress of the project during Wednesday night's board meeting. 

"We're definitely looking at a bunch of different options, trying to see what we can build that's going to meet the sanitation requirements for the public toilet facilities and be as cost effective as possible," Renninghoff said.

While a bathroom-only facility would have been the least expensive option, Renninghoff said the committee had learned that additional construction would be necessary to build the facility — specifically, installation of footing in an area where there currently is none — therefore increasing the cost.

Renninghoff, who provided the board with initial cost estimates last month, said the committee is considering having a pre-fabricated building installed but told board members that prevailing wage laws would increase the cost of the project regardless.

Prior to Renninghoff's update, board members voted to discharge the building committee which oversaw construction of the athletic field complex and other school projects paid for by a $4.99 million bond approved by voters in 2008. 

"I do think it's appropriate that we publicly thank all those who did serve on the committee," said board member Nancy Boyle. "They put a lot of time and effort and research into the project. I'd like to thank each and every one of them who did volunteer on behalf of the taxpayers."

"They've done a lot of great work for us," board chairman Kerrie Flanagan added.