The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education held an electronic meeting today (Thursday),and approved a proposal for retaining wall over-excavation at the Trojan Bowl. According to Tim Veach with FRK Architects, soil tests from Certified Testing Service, Inc., of Storm Lake, showed inadequate capacity at multiple locations. Superintendent Steve Barber said the district knew early on that there was a problem, but they didn’t know the scope of the remediation and cost.

CTS said the foundation area for the retaining wall requires 3,500 pounds per square foot (Psf). Several tests performed resulting in the soil failing to meet the project requirements. CTS had recommended the removal of one foot of material and replacing it with one-inch of crushed gravel compacted to 98% of the optimum daily density per regulations. Central Iowa Dirt Works’ bid of $44,911.77, which includes the use of machinery, a GPS Technician, supplies and trucking to the site. Their bid noted a soil tester must be on-site for the duration of the backfill/compaction process.

Steve Barber said the cost could go up, but there’s hope it will go down, too, especially with after Engineer Dave Sturm said there may be cost-saving options available.

Using a formula whereby 68% of the would be used, the cost savings would amount to a savings of around $20,000. Project Liaison Bob Sweeney acknowledged the project came back more expensive than expected.

Sweeney said he would be disappointed and mad, if the costs came in at $42,000 or more.