A pair of architectural companies on Oct. 8 met with QISD trustees to discuss replacing the district’s failing tennis courts.

The conversation with those companies was based on a recommendation from the district facilities committee.

“The base and foundation of the tennis courts is in very poor condition. We have done everything we can do to maintain the courts in order to extend their life, including having the courts resurfaced numerous times,” Quitman ISD Superintendent Rhonda Turner said.

Turner said the facilities committee asked the board to interview architects about courts.

Updated courts could be ready for tennis season in the spring. “We would love to have the courts completed by playing season; however, if that is not possible we may want to consider a delayed start date for construction after tennis season,” Turner said.

If the school board eventually approves the facilities committee recommendation to build new courts, the money would come from the designated fund balance, according to Turner.

Stantec Architecture and Harris Craig Architects Inc. each gave presentations to the board. Questions were asked by trustees after each presentation, but no deliberations or decisions were made afterwards.

“We will kick this back to the facilities committee again and, hopefully, make some type of decision in the next 30 to 60 days,” she said.

Stantec’s Terry Hoyle stated his company likes to think two steps ahead to understand what might be needed in the future. He added they like to trade off the pros and cons with the school district.

Robert Howman of Glenn Engineering, which has partnered with Stantec on many educational facility projects, explained that half of the company designs nothing but schools.

A small number of parking spaces might be lost or changes might be made to the road near the courts, depending on how the school chooses to site the courts, Hoyle stated.

It takes about 90 days to build courts typically, Howman said.

Hoyle suggested the possibility of having spectator seating or making accommodations for it in the future.

Seating is usually a set of three-tier bleachers at tennis courts. Courts would be 120 foot by 120 foot plus space for seating, Howman said.

Hoyle and Howman presented a possible timeline for the project. They would speak with school officials to develop the scope of project, complete topographic and geotechnical surveys, complete drawings and make sure assumptions are correct on drawings.

Had a decision been made last week to proceed, they would then receive quotes from contractors, ask for school board approval of contractors, deliver drawings and equipment, complete demolition by Christmas and finish construction about March 24.

One trustee asked what the lifespan of these new tennis courts could be.

“Generally they’re a 30-year product. We usually resurface them in 10 to 12 years,” Howman said. “It depends on your maintenance but resurfaced every 10 to 12 years they should last 30 years.”

Kent Harris of Harris Craig Architects Inc. then gave his presentation for building the courts. The company has been working with Quitman ISD for 15 years.

“It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship. We know that we can deliver an excellent service if you ask us to do so,” Harris said.

About 80 percent of Harris Craig’s business is in public education. The company’s other nearby projects include sport construction at both Whitehouse and Van, Harris said.

Harris presented a plan shown earlier to the facilities committee.

Turner said the committee met with Harris to discuss possible uses of left over bond money; however, it was determined there isn’t enough money to do all the projects on the committee’s list and they chose to focus on tennis courts for now.

In February, Harris said building the six courts would cost roughly $822,000.

At the board meeting last week, Harris said the cost would be $120,000 per court. They would try to get more of an updated budget after getting more information on what the school wants.

Harris asked the board to consider increasing the distance between the courts. The distance now is 12 feet. He explained that 18 feet is preferred and some places have a 24 feet distance.

“The more room between the courts the better it is for the players,” he said.

He also strongly recommended a sidewalk be incorated in the plan, providing space for spectators to bring lawn chairs or place small retractable bleachers there.

Harris said the impact on the campus would be minimal with only 20 to 25 parking spaces possibly lost.

Both presenters suggested the tennis court might be moved to the opposite side of the parking lot. However, Turner said the facilities committee wanted to leave that spot open for the possibility of a gym.