ACTI expansion could cost $51–59M; Bermudian Springs’ share estimated at 12.71%

Sean, a representative of the Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI), told the Bermudian Springs School District caucus that a feasibility study recommends a 140,000-square-foot career and technical education center to expand programming for Adams County students.

"They just basically took the construction costs for a building of that type and came up with a range of about 51 to 58 or $59,000,000," Sean said, describing the architects’ 2023 estimate for the building’s construction cost. He and others noted equipment and specialized trades would add to that total.

The presentation included a breakdown based on the ACTI articles of agreement that would allocate a share of debt-service costs across participating districts; under the current formula Bermudian Springs’ share is about 12.71%. Sean said, using the example on the slide, a $10 million group borrowing would translate to nearly $100,000 per year to Bermudian Springs at that percentage, and board discussion put likely borrowing closer to $60 million in an expanded scenario.

Why it matters: ACTI’s proposal would roughly double current program capacity (from about 300 to nearly 600 students), add annual operating costs to ACTI’s current roughly $1.4 million budget and increase participating districts’ recurring debt-service obligations for 20 years. Board members pressed for clear, district-level bottom-line figures before any commitment.

Justin, the district finance presenter, told members the district would have to treat debt service as a new recurring budget item and consider setting aside funds annually to reduce short-term budget impacts. Board members discussed options including phased construction, program-by-program equipment purchases, grants (state RACP and federal community project funding were mentioned), and renegotiating the ACTI articles to change percentage allocations if districts cannot afford their current shares.

Next steps: Sean said civil-engineer site analyses for several potential sites are expected in about two months and that ACTI staff are seeking grant support and legislative partners. Board members asked for a clear bottom-line estimate for Bermudian Springs — debt service, operating-cost impacts, and options for a phased build — before the district takes any formal position.