BELLAIRE, Ohio — River News has obtained new information regarding the removal of recently installed asphalt at Bellaire’s recreation complex, revealing an estimated $110,000 in unexpected construction costs, with questions remaining over who will ultimately pay.
According to T.A. Robinson Asphalt Paving Inc. of Pittsburgh, the contractor responsible for the pickleball courts, the company was not provided with project drawings prepared by Chadan Engineering of St. Clairsville until after it had been awarded the contract.
The contractor said it had already graded and prepared the site and installed the asphalt surface when it was notified that the court elevation was too low.
Robinson stated that the original project scope did not include a line item for the fill material needed to raise the courts. As a result, the company was required to remove the newly installed asphalt, an expense exceeding $60,000, and add approximately $50,000 in stone to raise the site by about one foot.
The stone must also be compacted before the courts can be reconstructed.
T.A. Robinson, which reports having completed dozens of pickleball court projects throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, described the situation as unlike anything the company has previously encountered.
An important distinction has also emerged regarding the floodplain requirements. According to the information provided to River News, pickleball courts are not necessarily required to be constructed above the floodplain elevation and may be permitted in areas subject to flooding.
Although the additional work will raise the courts approximately one foot, the revised elevation will reportedly still leave them within the flood-prone area.
This raises questions about the necessity and intended purpose of the elevation changes, particularly since the added expense will not eliminate the possibility of flooding.
Any future buildings or other structures planned for the property may face separate elevation requirements, potentially resulting in additional site preparation and construction costs.
The setback also raises questions about the project’s original engineering plans, bidding process and communication between the parties involved.
It remains undetermined who will be responsible for the additional construction expenses and delays. The contractor’s account has not yet been independently confirmed by the village or Chadan Engineering, and no final determination of responsibility has been announced.
Regardless of whether responsibility lies with the village, engineering firm or contractor, the apparent lack of communication and oversight raises serious concerns about an estimated $110,000 in additional costs and the potential waste of taxpayer dollars.
The recreation complex is intended to bring new recreational opportunities to Bellaire, including pickleball courts and other amenities. However, the unexpected reconstruction work could affect the project’s budget and completion plans.
River News will continue to follow this story as additional information becomes available.
