City getting ready to accept bids on Community Center

LAUREL — The Laurel City Council is advertising for bids for the construction of the Laurel Community Center.

A pre-bid meeting will be hosted on March 23 to talk to contractors and take them through to see the site with the buildings knocked down. Bids will be due April 8 to allow bids to be available for the April 12 meeting.

Bob Soukup, principal of Carlson West Povondra Architects of Omaha also appeared at Monday’s City Council meeting via Zoom.

Soukup told of details planned for the Community Center. He is expecting the project will have a $3.1 million construction budget, he said.

“The Center has a tower as a beacon for the entrance and mechanical space,’’ Soukup said. “The Center has a train depot theme. The Center will be able to host up to 400 people for a wedding venue.’’

Soukup said the building will include new City Hall offices, a senior center, staging kitchen with room for buffet lines.

“Work with the design committee developed room for two caterers and a stage,’’ Soukup said. The design mimics downtown and the rest of Main Street. The exterior will be a vibrant building. The interior has been designed neutral so people can decorate as they wish.’’ Soukup said the company is working with the city engineering firm JEO on the project.

It is expected that $3.5 million in grants, pledges and donations will be made for the facility.

The site won’t require a lot of extra dirt. The storm sewer has three inlets that go to the north of the proposed area and go into a storm sewer at Pine and Second streets to handle storm drain water.

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