POINT PLEASANT — Members of the Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School Athletic Complex Committee have cleared another hurdle in their goal to have the state-of-the-art facility ready for the upcoming school year.

During Tuesday’s meeting, members of the Mason County Board of Education approved four bids for the first phase of the proposed project, which includes a football field, eight-lane track and bleachers.

Craig Baker of Thrasher Engineering in Clarksburg updated board members on the bids received for the various components of Phase I. He described the bids, which were received last week, as competitive, adding that the four contracts totaled approximately $2.4 million. Their initial estimate for the first phase was $2.2 million.

The bids approved were $505,197 to Prograss for the artificial turf and track surface; $633,115 to Mid-Atlantic Construction for athletic field improvements and site work; $701,990 to TSI Sports Group for bleachers; and $249,900 to Dixon Electric for field lighting and other electrical work. Baker also mentioned various deductive changes, including approximately $135,000 worth of stone donated to the project, as well as a $160,000 difference between the bid approved for the turf and the company the board initially anticipated approving.

Board President Tom Nunnery voiced concern about the figures presented because the total exceeded the board’s $1 million lease purchase agreement. Superintendent Dr. Larry Parsons said the lease purchase agreement, when combined with donations and pledges already secured for the project as well as other sources of funding, should prevent the board from having to provide any additional funds.

The first phase of construction is expected to be completed by mid-August so that the field can be used for various practices, games and performances. The next phase of the project will include locker rooms, concession stands and restrooms.

Board members commended the athletic complex committee members’ dedication to the project, adding that they’re eager to see football played in the new stadium this fall.

Nunnery said the contracts likely will be presented at next week’s meeting for approval.

In other business, board members:

• Were updated on the projected timeline for renovation work at Beale Elementary School. Andrejs Smiltars of Architectural Vision Group Ltd. reported that the drawings had been completed and submitted to necessary state agencies for approval, adding that the board can begin advertising for bids this week. Construction could begin this summer.

Smiltars also said the acoustic panels in the gymnasium at Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School will be redone in black and red at no additional cost to the board of education.

• Met in executive session for 30 minutes.

The next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 at Ashton Elementary School, when board members will hear reports from Local School Improvement Committee (LSIC) members.