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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 24, 2005 Kimberly Awbrey leads, from left, sisters Madelyne and Maisy Kucera, both 4, Makenzi Altamirano, 4, and Emily Awbrey, 3, in a creative dance class at Kids Unlimited on Wednesday. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Kids Unlimited uncovers ceiling limits Gymnasium project progressing despite uncertainty over how to top off the building By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Kids Unlimited had hoped to literally raise the roof on the back half of its new headquarters on Riverside Avenue to build a gymnasium. But after getting three proposals for the work, leaders of the organization that serves 1,000 children in Jackson County aren’t so sure anymore. "We’ve had construction people saying raising the roof is not a good way to go," said Executive Director Tom Cole. He got a bid of $876,919 that would complete about 85-90 percent of the project and would also demolish the roof and replace it with a steel structure. Cole said he’s got the most confidence in this estimate because it was the most detailed. It was also the only estimate that Kids Unlimited paid for, costing $1,200. Advertisement "We’ve got one really solid estimate, and the other two are not as specific as we would like them to be," he said. Cole said the construction industry is so hot right now that it’s difficult to get an estimate without a serious commitment to the contractors, which, in this case, required some up-front money from Kids Unlimited. Another $870,000 proposal calls for demolishing the old roof and replacing it with a new steel structure. This proposal would complete about 70 percent of the project. A third estimate of $569,700 calls for raising the existing roof about 20 feet, but it didn’t include a new floor, air conditioning and other amenities. Cole said this proposal would only finish about 60 percent of the project. He didn’t want to reveal the names of the companies offering estimates until after he’d presented the information to his board of directors. The proposals still fall in line with the original goal of completing the project for about $1 million. Cole said about $300,000 has been raised so far in donations. Despite the many hurdles facing him, Cole said he hopes to have the project built by spring. The project will give Kids Unlimited more than just a gymnasium. The project will also feature a kitchen that will provide meals six days a week and an education lab. Despite the lack of a designated court, Cole said the girl’s team at Kids Unlimited won the last two Amateur Athletic Union basketball tournaments. He said the teams practice one day at McLoughlin, another at Sacred Heart, but it’s difficult to find an empty basketball court because they are in such demand. Kids Unlimited has already spent $1 million converting the front half of the former bowling alley at 821 N. Riverside Ave. into a stage, dance floor, offices and other facilities. Cole said the gymnasium will benefit the entire community. Without it, he said, "many of the kids in this community don’t have a chance to experience sports." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Kids Unlimited uncovers ceiling limits ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Salvia Divinorum Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s