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Contacts: President Dene Kay Thomas, President -
208/792-2216; Dr. Rita Morris, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs -
208/792-2213; Mr. Dean Froehlich, Vice President for Administrative Services -
208/792-2240.
Bidding Goes Ahead as Planned for Activity Center
LEWISTON-Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne today announced a freeze on all future
construction projects funded by the state's Permanent Building Fund. The action will
impact the second phase of construction for Lewis-Clark State's multi-purpose activity
center.
Kempthorne described the construction projects as being placed on hold, indicating the
freeze is temporary. "If those funds are not needed to balance the budget, they will
be released for the intended projects once the economy shows signs of recovery," he
said in news release issued this morning.
Kempthorne has said he will ensure the state's budget remains balanced and will call for a
special session of the legislature, if revenue projections are revised significantly.
Bids for the activity center are scheduled to be opened Wednesday, January 16 at 3:00 pm.
Bidding is for phase 2, which includes the start of construction on the facility. Phase 1,
already underway, included site preparation and construction of parking lots. Funding to
cover costs of phase 1 is not affected.
When asked how the college would respond, Lewis-Clark State President Dene Thomas said,
"We just keep moving forward. We do the best we can and we keep right on going."
Thomas confirmed the scheduled bid opening would proceed as planned and contractors'
questions would be answered at that time. "We will proceed as planned with the bid
opening and evaluation, and will do everything short of awarding a contract," she
said.
Thomas noted, "Our project is farthest along of any of those on hold." Vice
President of Administrative Services Dean Froehlich and Provost Rita Morris agreed, with
Froehlich adding, "We're optimistic. This project is well underway and we're in a
good position to see it completed as we'd envisioned."
Thomas went on to say she appreciated the governor targeting higher education construction
projects lastly. "He's got nothing to work with," she said, describing a state
budget reality that includes December revenues more than $20 million less than projected.
"We're hopeful the funds will be released in time for us to enjoy the current
favorable bidding climate," Thomas noted, continuing her practical, optimistic
approach to the news.
The projects affected will be reconsidered on a month-to-month basis between now and
April, with funds being held or released according to reviews of state revenues, Thomas
said.
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