Stadium project moves forward with construction manager hire

By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise

The Colman-Egan School District has selected Puetz Design & Build Company as its construction manager at risk (CMaR) as the district moves forward with plans for a new football field and track and field complex.
The decision followed presentations from three construction firms during a special school board meeting this past Monday night. Firms presenting included Puetz Design & Build, Huff Construction of Sioux Falls, and Mills Construction, based in Brookings and Madison.
A construction manager at risk is responsible for overseeing the design and construction process, managing costs and schedules, and working with the district to deliver the project within an agreed-upon budget, assuming financial risk if costs exceed that amount.
The board later voted unanimously to hire Puetz Design & Build as the district’s construction manager at risk.
The Hawks have historically played on a small football field behind the current school campus, but the possibility of a new stadium has been discussed for years. Due to space limitations at the existing site, the proposed stadium would be constructed at a separate location, with land east of the school near the edge of town emerging as the most likely option.
After last week’s meeting, Superintendent Scott Hemmer said that as the project moves forward, additional testing and surveying will still be required at the eastern site. While other locations were considered, including land north of town near an existing baseball complex and space behind the school, Hemmer said the eastern parcel remains the most viable option after extensive review.
Hemmer said one of the key questions raised throughout the process was how often a new athletic complex would be used and whether it could be justified. He said the eastern site allows the district to access the facility without transporting students, providing the greatest opportunity to maximize use for school activities and the broader community.
Neighbors with homes located between the school and the proposed site, along with other residents who have submitted petitions and raised concerns during public comment at recent board meetings, have opposed the project moving forward as proposed, saying they might support an athletic complex but not the current site selection. School board members, however, have maintained that the eastern site represents the best long-term option for the district, its student-athletes and their families, as well as the community.
Details regarding project scope, costs and timelines are expected to be shared in the coming weeks as planning continues. The school board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.