A planned middle school in Cromwell, Conn., is projected to cost as much as $21 million more than the amount voters approved last year.
The Connecticut Examiner reports that the cost of the project was estimated to be $58.6 million when voters approved plans in June, but costs have risen to nearly $80 million.
Rosanna Glynn, chair of the building committee, says the district was dealing with different project managers when the original estimates were made. Since then, construction costs had increased substantially.
“I don’t think anyone could have imagined a war breaking out in the Ukraine last year or all the supply chain issues we’re having,” says Glynn. “This project is not immune from all that.”
The increase also includes $1 million for an enlarged 500-seat auditorium that was left out of the building plans that the committee had been reviewing.
If the State of Connecticut approves the project, the town of Cromwell would be responsible for 60% of the increase — the state would cover 40%.
Committee members are trying to decide whether to put a revised funding request before voters or wait until July, when the committee will receive official bids for the project.
