Methacton approves up-to-$175,000 change order after unsuitable soils found under high‑school tennis courts

Contractors uncovered widespread unsuitable soils and buried debris during excavation of the high‑school tennis courts, and the board approved a not‑to‑exceed $175,000 change order on May 28 to remediate the subbase and keep the project on schedule.

Doug Taylor of owner’s representative ICS told trustees that initial core testing had under‑sampled the north end and that opening the full pavement revealed organic material, large branches, trash and tires under the court subgrade. He described three remediation price options the contractor provided: replacing roughly 80% of the problematic zone with engineered stone (about $282,000), full two‑foot replacement (about $353,000), or a cement‑stabilization process the team recommended as a cost‑effective approach and which the board approved as a not‑to‑exceed $175,000 change order.

How the cement stabilization works: Taylor explained that a cementitious stabilizer machine scarifies the top 12 inches of soil, mixes in cement, pulverizes and reinserts a cement‑treated base to create a stable, consistent subgrade that reduces future settlement and surface cracking. The process allows the contractor to achieve the precise elevations needed for a new court surface without removing all existing material.

Schedule and contingencies: The contractor’s schedule targets substantial completion by July 31 and final completion by Aug. 8 so the asphalt base can cure the required 30 days before court surfacing and the fall season. Taylor said the change order contains roughly $140,000 for the cement process and about $35,000 for unforeseen items and stone placement to adjust elevations; unused funds would be returned to the district.

Board questions and vote: Trustees asked about contingency use, how much of the allowance would likely be spent and whether additional unknowns remain. Taylor said the project team had experience with the cementitious approach on parking lots and turf fields and considered it the most cost‑effective and durable choice for the discovered conditions. The board approved the change order allowance as part of the 'other' consent items; the motion passed unanimously (9‑0).

Next steps: Work will proceed under the approved change order; the administration and owner’s representative will monitor quantities and return unused allowance if not needed.