By Randy Arrington
STANLEY, Nov. 19 — On Wednesday night, the Stanley Council unanimously approved a final construction contract with Knight and Lucas Construction to build an amphitheater at Ed Good Park. The council accepted the winning bid from the local construction company in October.
After the contract was reviewed by Luray attorney Robert Janney and presented to the council by Town Manager Terry Pettit, the only change that was made to the contract Wednesday night came at the request of Mike Knight, co-owner of the construction company.
Knight, who also serves as mayor of Stanley, stepped aside during the council’s discussion of the contract, but he did request that the deadline for completion of the amphitheater be extended from April 1 to April 30.
“I don’t think I will need it,” Knight said, “but since it’s already been 30 days since we awarded the bid, I just want to be sure we can get it done.”
Knight said that he hopes to install fencing and break ground for the project at Ed Good Park the week after Thanksgiving, weather permitting. The Request for Proposals had originally targeted a Nov. 15 start date.
The $35,465 contract reflects the low bid for the project. Two other bids were received: $62,561 from Pettit Paving, LLC of Stanley; and $112,200 submitted by Lantz Construction of Winchester.
Racey Engineering of Luray recommended the approval of the bid submitted by Knight and Lucas Construction.
Much like the mayor’s company did for the construction of the Kibler Library in downtown Stanley a few years ago, the low bid represents a significant amount of in-kind contributions from Knight and Lucas Construction.
Councilman Joseph Mauck, who was absent from Wednesday night’s meeting, also excluded himself from discussion of the three bids in October because he will be a subcontractor on the project providing excavation services.
The work detailed in the contract includes grading and excavation to prepare the site, construction of the foundation, and construction of a 60×24-foot structure to serve as a permanent performance venue for Ed Good Park, including a dressing room at either end of the stage.
The Town of Stanley has already received an anonymous donation of $30,000 to go toward the cost of building an amphitheater at the growing community park.
“It has been placed in the hands of the Town Attorney to be distributed when needed,” Pettit said of the large donation. “The donation was specific for the amphitheater, and a local business has agreed to match that, which will be named later. So, we have between $60,000 and $70,000 to spend.”
In other business…
• On Wednesday night, the Stanley Council decided to cancel its 5th annual “Christmas in Stanley” event originally planned for Friday, Dec. 5. The evening originally included a showing of the movie “Elf” and fireworks (leftover from Homecoming, which never happened) — however, Governor Ralph Northam’s 25-person limit to such events (indoors or outdoors) prompted the council to cancel all events — except one.
• The Stanley Christmas Parade is still on tap for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Currently, the event only has about 20 entries signed up. Mayor Mike Knight said he would like to see that number reach at least 30 in order to hold the event. After a discussion about whether or not to allow the distribution of candy, Town Manager Terry Pettit said he would check with health officials to get guidance prior to the parade.
• The Stanley Council decided to cancel this year’s town banquet and use the funds that would have been spent on the meal to boost Christmas bonuses for town employees.
• At the onset of Wednesday night’s meeting, Town Manager Terry Pettit presented certificates to Mayor Mike Knight, Councilman Jeremiah Knight and Joseph Mauck (absent) for their re-election to four-year terms on the Stanley Council during the Nov. 3 election. The three men will likely take their oaths of office in December and begin their new terms in January.
For more information about the Town of Stanley, visit their WEBSITE.
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