Larry Snyder & Co. to build Carl Junction center

Springfield-based general contractor Larry Snyder & Co. submitted a low bid of $3.84 million to build the Carl Junction Community Center.

Voters approved a $4.4 million bond issue in April 2007 to finance the 22,800-square-foot community center.

Steve Lawver, Carl Junction city administrator, said the winning bid includes four of the five alternate addendums that the city had requested from the architectural drawings, including a north canopy for Meals on Wheels and expanded parking.

Original estimates from the architectural renderings indicated that the project would cost more than $4.3 million, but Lawver said the bidding contractors found ways to save up to $500,000.

"It's been a very arduous process for the city and staff," said Kristi Beattie of Sapp Design Associates, which drew up the renderings for the project. "We had a very solid set of drawings that have been changed only slightly."

The community center will serve as a senior center, recreation center and city hall. It will feature a gym and indoor walking track, aerobics fitness rooms, and large meeting rooms for area organizations.

Carl Junction City Council plans to award a contract for construction at its Jan. 20 meeting. The project is scheduled to be complete by December.