Finish Line for Multi-Million Indoor Sports Complex in View as Council to Consider Six-Figure Interior Project

By Jeff Toquinto on July 10, 2020

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As construction continues at the Bridgeport Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex, now officially known as “The Bridge,” there are more signs that the building’s completion is much closer than some may realize.

During this coming Monday’s Bridgeport City Council meeting, the city’s governing body will address an item that shows the project is way closer to the finish line than the starting line. It is one part of the 7 p.m. meeting at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex.

The meeting will also include a 6:15 p.m. work session. Both the work session and regular session are open to the public.

Mayor Andy Lang said the meeting will adhere to social distancing guidelines. Council members will have appropriate space between them, while chairs for anyone planning to attend will also be spaced apart.

As for the $45 million-plus Recreation Complex, Council will be asked to approve a contract with TriMark Foodcraft, LLC of Winston-Salem, NC in the amount of $135,299. They will also be asked to okay a 10 percent contingency of $13,529.90. Both are for supply and installation of kitchen equipment at the new building.

“That’s part of the FFE (fixtures, furniture and equipment) portion that the city is working to procure so we get ourselves what we want for

the facility at the best price,” said Lang. “Things like that and the indoor turf, some other items, we’re doing that ourselves.”

Lang visited the site Thursday. And he said there was good news.

“The building is on schedule to be completed by April. Can that be pushed back by weather? Sure, but you’re seeing the roof and walls going up and if that gets done then work can be done on the interior during the cold months and it could happen on the timeline track it’s currently on,” said Lang.

During the work session, Lang said he anticipates Bridgeport Special Projects Coordinator Fred Burton and City Engineer Beth Fox to provide an update on the facility. Updates have been coming regularly during work sessions over the last several months.

Council will look to approve a contract with Alco Fence Company of Fairmont for $23,537 for installation of gate with remote access. The gate would be installed on the new facility directly across from the Recreation Complex on Forester Boulevard that houses space for Bridgeport Parks and Recreation and Public Works.

“We just need a secure entry system to the property,” said Lang.

Council will look at the first reading of an ordinance on how the city takes in infrastructure. It involves the dedication and acceptance of streets, roads, and alleys in the city limits.

“The past ordinance was vague. This ordinance is cleaned up for developers so if they are putting money into streets and the water and sewage under them, they know exactly what is expected and the process to follow,” said Lang.

Also, Council will be asked to consider and act on adopting the “Utilities Accommodation and Coordination Manual for the City of Bridgeport.” City Manager Randy Wetmore said the manual will cover standards regarding underground and overhead utilities that exist within the city’s right of ways and what is expected when utilities are in place.

“This is something the city has worked on for a while,” said Wetmore.

In other business Monday, Council will:

• Consider reappointing Barbara Bean to the Bridgeport Library Board. The term is for five years.
• Consider reappointing Joe Ellen Crowley to the Bridgeport Building Commission. The term if for three years.
• Consider and act on approval of the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Coal Severance Tax Fund Budget with a budget revision.

Editor's Note: Top and bottom photos shows workers making progress on the Bridgeport Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex, "The Bridge," while Mayor Andy Lang is shown in the middle.

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