After the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety approved the contract with CME Corp. for the pavilion renovations Friday, Zimmer Biomet Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility Adam Griner presented a $2 million check from the Zimmer Biomet Foundation to Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Christiansen for the project.
Zimmer Biomet Foundation pledged $2.5 million toward the remodeling of the pavilion earlier this year. With the donation comes naming rights. The pavilion was built in 1935, with the only work done to it since in the 1990s after a small fire.
CME’s contract to remodel the pavilion is for $2,776,000, which includes alternatives for fire protection and existing floor leveler installation. CME was awarded the project Aug. 5.
In presenting the contract agreement to the Board of Works on Friday for the renovations, city engineer Aaron Ott said, “We had given CME an early notice to proceed, so we’ve actually already had a pre-construction meeting and they are anxious to start work next week.”
He said the contract agreement before the Board was the standard form agreement that architectural firms use. Ott said he reviewed it, and there were a couple of items that were forwarded through city attorney Scott Reust for his thoughts, but Ott recommended the Board accept the contract.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer pointed out that the contract says the contractor – CME – shall achieve substantial completion of the entire work not later than 350 calendar days from the date of commencement of the work. With CME given the notice to proceed in August, Thallemer asked Ott if the clock began then.
“Yeah, I believe that’s the way they look at it as well as the way we would look at it. They needed that to go ahead and issue subcontracts to the rest of their team and be able to start purchasing materials and such, so, yeah, the clock has started,” Ott said.
He said CME was looking to mobilize next week and putting up construction fencing around the pavilion.
After Board of Works member George Clemens made a motion to approve the contract agreement, Councilman Jeff Grose asked Reust if he was good with the contract and Reust said he was. Grose seconded the motion and it passed 3-0.
Griner then presented the check from the Biomet Zimmer Foundation.
Thallemer said the project was officially started, and Griner responded, “We’re excited about that project!”
