DALLAS - The Allen Independent School District in affluent Collin County north of Dallas will use $2 million of existing bond funds for repairs to a two-year-old stadium that cost $60 million to build, officials said.
Authorizing the use of district funds will allow the repairs to begin as the district seeks reimbursement from the architect and stadium builder, officials said.
"It is important that our community knows that the school district will be reimbursed for all repairs and related expenses by PBK Architects and Pogue Construction," said AISD Superintendent Lance Hindt. "Both firms continue to say they will stand behind their work and the school district will not bear the cost of repairs."
The July 28 board action follows an extensive analysis of Eagle Stadium by the Nelson Forensics engineering firm completed in June.
Nelson Forensics found structural deficiencies at the stadium that led to the stadium's closure in February 2014.
Datum Engineers has been working with the Nelson findings since June to identify the necessary repairs and prepare construction documents that will be used to determine costs so that repair work can begin, officials said.
"In the event that other parties do not timely remit payment for repairs to the stadium, it will be necessary for Allen ISD to make payment for services, material and labor required to effectuate the repairs," according to a resolution passed by the school board. The resolution emphasized that "AISD believes that repairs to the stadium will be paid for by parties other than Allen ISD."
The board decided to get the work underway using funds still available from previous bond sales.
The 18,000-seat stadium, financed as part of a $119 million bond issue approved by voters in 2009 with a 63% majority vote, opened in August 2012.
The stadium was closed Feb. 27 after an initial structural analysis revealed design and construction deficiencies that were causing cracking on the elevated concrete concourse.
"Getting the stadium properly repaired so that we can turn it back over to our students and staff continues to be our highest priority," according to AISD board president Louise Master. "Like many in our community, I am anxious to see work begin at the stadium but I know that a great deal of planning has been ongoing this summer."
The district's issuer ratings are AA from Standard & Poor's and Aa2 from Moody's Investors Service with stable outlooks. The district's bonds carry triple-A ratings with a guarantee from the Texas Permanent School Fund.
