School Athletic Facility Bond Measure Budget Guide
Sizing a bond measure for K-12 athletic facility renovation. Per-school cost ranges, multi-site district planning.
Key Takeaways
- Single-school full athletic facility refresh: $250,000-$650,000
- District-wide multi-site upgrade: $3M-$15M+ depending on count
- Largest line items: Gym floors ($130K-$220K), bleachers ($55K-$250K), lockers ($55K-$200K)
- Commonly underbudgeted: Demolition, ADA upgrades, electrical for motorized systems
- Soft costs: Architect/spec fees (5-10%), GC markup (8-15%), contingency (10-15%)
- Typical bond cycle: 4-7 years passage to last facility completed
Single-School Athletic Facility Bond Line
For a typical high school refresh:
- Bleachers: $55,000-$250,000
- Gym floor: $130,000-$220,000 (hardwood); $60,000-$130,000 (synthetic)
- Basketball backstops (4 units): $50,000-$120,000
- Scoreboards + shot clocks: $20,000-$50,000
- Wall padding: $15,000-$40,000
- Divider curtain: $25,000-$55,000
- Lockers: $50,000-$200,000
- Demolition: $20,000-$50,000
- ADA upgrades: $10,000-$25,000
- Contingency (15%): add to subtotal
Multi-Site District Bond Sizing
Districts with 10+ schools should plan in phases. Year 1-2: highest-priority facilities. Year 3-5: phased rollout. Year 6-7: closeout. Multi-site contracts typically negotiate 5-15% volume discounts.
Most Often Underbudgeted Categories
Electrical: Motorized bleachers, scoreboards, divider curtains need dedicated circuits.
Subfloor leveling: Old gym floors often need leveling.
ADA retrofits: Older facilities need seating reconfiguration.
Prevailing wage: Often forgotten when comparing private quotes.
Working with BROC on Bond Projects
BROC works with Colorado and California districts on bond-funded programs. Pre-bond budget consultation, multi-site project management, direct-bid pricing. See architect/GC resources.
FAQ
How early should we engage a contractor in bond planning?
Can a single contractor handle multiple facilities?
How do we handle prevailing wage in budget?
Typical year-over-year inflation on athletic equipment?
Sizing a Bond? Lets Talk Through Your Numbers.
BROC works with school districts on athletic facility bond planning across Colorado and California.