Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/198837
Sarasota News Leader October 25, 2013 had put "on the street" specifications, so costs could be determined. Preliminary information showed the expense of the transformer would be $23,000, instead of $50,000, Calhoon noted. An Oct. 23 memo to the County Commission from Calhoon, county Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn Brown and Ed Gable, director of the county's General Services Office, notes the anticipated project budget of $700,000 was off by $541,112 principally because of the unexpected necessity of replacing the underground wiring between the utility poles on the grounds, along with the requirement for the transformer, which will "reduce the energy supplied at the primary feed from [Florida Power & Light Co.]." Page 71 The memo also points out that the lighting project will provide "significant operational savings by utilizing an existing 'sports lighting meter' maintained by the City of Sarasota on the site, thus eliminating the monthly demand charge for use …" That monthly charge is about $6,000, the memo adds, plus a fee of almost 50 cents a minute when the lights are on. A couple of other minor matters also need to be addressed at the stadium before the first home game, Calhoon pointed out. A walkway to a handicap-access ramp "has sunk for whatever reason," Calhoon explained. That was discovered after the construction warranty had expired. Additionally, new caulking is necessary, because "folks are getting wet Images of famous Baltimore Orioles adorn one wall at the team's operations center at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel