It will be at least two more weeks before we know how much it will cost to build the wellness center at Lincoln University - the joint project between LU and Jefferson City's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.
The bid opening originally had been scheduled for this Thursday, but now has been pushed back by two weeks.
The bids will be opened at 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Architects Alliance offices, 631 W. Main St.
Sheila Gassner, LU's facilities director who will be supervising the construction contract, told the News Tribune Monday that "several general contractors" asked for the extension, so they could have more time to develop their bids.
That change means both Lincoln's Curators and the city's Parks and Recreation Commission likely will have to hold special meetings to approve the plans - probably in early December - since a Nov. 19 bid-opening comes after both groups hold their regular meetings in November. The Parks and Rec Commission meets Nov. 10, and LU's Curators meet Nov. 12.
The planned 79,000-square-foot building is to be constructed along Lafayette Street, on the west side of the LU campus and across the street from the Jefferson City High School complex.
It has an estimated cost of between $11.4 million and $13.6 million.
Between LU and the parks commission, $11.1 million is available for the collaborative project, including a $1.5 million line of credit approved by the Jefferson City Council last December, at the parks commission's request.
Both boards in September approved a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, agreeing to combine Lincoln's plans for a wellness center and the parks commission's long-time desire for a multipurpose facility.
The building - on Lincoln property but jointly owned - will house four basketball courts, a walking track (around and above the courts, similar to the walking tracks at the Jefferson City YMCA's Knowles and Firley centers), an LU-controlled second floor with a fitness area, classrooms, offices and a game suite.
The agreement states Lincoln will "set an allowance for a limited number of non-student memberships to its weight room/cardio area available to the public at large." Priority will be given to faculty, staff and alumni of Lincoln first, followed by city staff. "Thereafter, memberships may be offered to the general public."
A September news release said the fitness center is "designed primarily for the wellness of Lincoln University students, faculty and staff, as well as city staff." There is no mention of city residents.
The Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson City will build its new facility nearby, and also is expected to have some use of the new wellness center building.