On August 19th, the Clay Center City Council voted to approve a scope and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the Multi-Generational Life Center. The vote was 7-1. 

The approved bid is a guaranteed max price of $6,856,055. 

There are two additional project options, including finishing the Senior and Youth Centers, as well as the kitchen (an additional $660,933), and finishing the building’s two gymnasiums ($574,943, which includes gym flooring, athletic equipment and scoreboards, drywall, painting, tectum ceiling panels, and more). With both amendments, the total price sits at $8,654,004.07. As of the time of the vote, the city is $854,004 short for the all-in price option. 

The bid includes the full building structure and shell; full buildout of childcare, office, entry corridor, multipurpose room, and restrooms; Senior Center, Youth Center, kitchen, and partial completion of the gyms. Under this price, the two gymnasiums will be given a concrete floor, fire sprinkler, HVAC system, and lights by McCownGordon  Construction. 

The price to have the gymnasiums completed with the project is $8,654,004.07, or $600,882 for gym flooring, bleachers, and other finishing items. Funds are also needed to add a storm shelter, and a grant has been applied for, which would cover those costs. 

A total of 83 bids were received on 25 scopes of work to reach the final project amount.  

The opposing vote came from Councilman Keith Blake, who cited a lack of storm shelter and future operating costs for his dissent. 

Mayor Jimmy Thatcher said there will be an additional discussion about both the storm shelter and operation funding, but those items were not on the August 19th agenda.  

“There’s a definite concern; it will happen,” he said. “We’re citizens that care about our youth, we’re going to figure out how to build a storm shelter.”

City Clerk, Amelia Blackwood, said the City also has a grant application in to fund a storm shelter. The initial application was delayed due to halts in federal funding, but the city was invited to reapply. If the grant is not approved, Thatcher said alternate funding will be obtained to pay for a storm shelter.  

In addition, Blake cited concerns with declining enrollment in the school system and a projected global population decline. 

“[School] enrollment is down, and it’s supposed to keep going down. Everybody’s taxes increase because of funding shortages. [Representative] Bill Bloom reported we’re losing 1-5% of the population every year,” he said. “I could care less one way or another, but I’m expressing what I’m hearing from a lot of people.” 

However, Thatcher said the school’s enrollment or budget does not affect the city budget.

“Are we a community that wants to survive or are we a community that wants to thrive? We voted to pursue this grant, to accept this grant, and now it’s our job to build and do this project.” 

Blake mentioned he was not on the council at that time and wanted to discuss operating budgets.

Next, Councilman Elton Hess provided his opinion on the Life Center and said he was initially against the project. 

“After stepping back, I see it like I see the library. Yes, it’s something we’re all paying for, but it’s something that’s a good thing for the whole community,” he said. “It’s going to cost us money, but so does the library. It’s an asset and shows growth, and it’s important to the community.”

After the initial budget vote, the Council also voted to allow Mayor Jimmy Thatcher to approve change orders for the project. This would avoid construction delay or holding additional meetings. 

“The change orders won’t exceed guaranteed max price, they’re for small changes,” said City Clerk, Amelia Blackwood. She added that 2% was built into the budget for such changes, with examples like moving a window or door location. 

“These things do happen, so it would allow for him to ok it. We’re not talking about changing the scope orders at all or going over the price. We’re talking about small changes.” 

After discussion and a recommendation by McCownGordon, the Council approved to give the mayor change order permissions with adjustments up to $25,000. 

Construction is slated to start this September after a groundbreaking ceremony on the 26th. The MGLC opening date is planned for September 1, 2026, in accordance with the Accelerator Grant.