La Joya ISD approves natatorium contract
LA JOYA–The price tag for the proposed natatorium at La Joya Independent School District has increased from $9.5 million when it was introduced in June 2013 to more than $16 million.
Last month, the district’s board of trustees agreed to negotiate with the lowest bidder, Texas Descon, on construction of the facility, which will be built on the district’s new Howling Trails Golf Course. However, Monday, the board approved the full bid of $16,386,833 million. It’s expected to take 12 to 14 months to construct.
Information given to the board states that the school district attempted to negotiate with Texas Descon to lower its bid, but the contractor was unable to do so. Trustees approved the item with no discussion.
The work includes construction of the 20,000-square-foot natatorium itself, a planetarium and a water park. As the project has grown, so has the budget, which had been set at more than $14 million. The district already is planning to use $50 million from its fund balance to keep up with its $363 million budget, which includes a 4 percent raise for staff.
