Nine construction companies submitted bids to construct a new physical education facility at Andalusia High School Thursday afternoon.

Architect Joe Donofro, of Donofro Architects, said that the board has a $2.3 million budget and would take the base bid plus any “add-alternates” up to the budgeted amount.

Plans for the new facility, which have been developed by Donofro, include a new 26,174-square foot physical education facility, a new 6,818-square foot boys’ PE facility, renovations to a 5,949-square foot girls’ PE facility, renovations to the 630-square foot shop building and miscellaneous site work on the AHS campus.

“Add-alternates” include items such as metal liner panels, field turf, parking and drives, a cupola, girls locker room and other items.

At the end of the bid opening, Donofro said it appeared the bid award would be between two companies – Bayshore Construction Co. and First Team Construction Co.

Bayshore Construction submitted a base bid of $2.025 million.

First Team Construction submitted a base bid of $1.995 million.

Both companies submitted bids for the “add-alternates,” which included the metal liner panels, field turf, parking and other items.

Other companies that bid were Bullard-Cook Inc., Catrett Construction, G.R. Harvill Inc, Hyperion Construction LLC, Lewis and Associates General Contractors, Southern Structures Corp. and Zedot Construction Inc.

Board president Dr. Bill King said the board will probably award the bid at its Monday night meeting.

“We are enthusiastic at the number of bids we received,” he said. “We are excited about being able to improve our facilities.”

The board was notified nearly a year ago that it would receive $2.5 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds for the project, and the Andalusia Bulldog Foundation agreed to give the board $8,000 to pay closing costs for the project, as well as bridge any loans necessary until the school board pays off its debt for Andalusia Elementary School.

Donofro said that he anticipates once the board lets the contract that they will “turn dirt” in three or four weeks.

The board meeting will be Mon., July 18, at 6 p.m. at the board of education.