Though the game plan has changed, site preparation is still underway for the construction of a new facility to host equine events in Union County.
The South Arkansas Expo Center will be built on the outskirts of town on more than 20 acres of land that was donated to the city of El Dorado.
The property is located on Arkansas 335/Del-Tin Highway and on the east side of the highway, less than a mile south of U.S. 82.
Last June, the El Dorado Works Board and the El Dorado City Council approved a funding request of nearly $3.7 million to build the SAEC, per a proposal that was submitted by supporters of the project -- including a committee and board of directors.
Members of the group, which is made up of city and Union County residents, compete in equine sports and travel to other states in the region to attend the events, board member Gary Sewell told the EWB last June.
"We travel because we do not have a place locally where we can have these events," Sewell said at the time.
Sewell donated the land for the SAEC.
The scope of the project is broken into two phases, the first of which calls for the construction of "a modern equine arena ... with parking, ample seating (2,500-seat capacity), (a) public address area, horse stables, restrooms concessions and many other amenities."
Phase two focuses on expansion, with the potential to add a playground, walking paths, riding trails, a food court and hook-ups for recreational vehicles.
Robert Edmonds, director of public works, previously said Douglas Stanton Architects is designing the facility and putting together the bid package, adding that the firm is experienced in municipal projects.
He also explained that the SAEC board of directors founded and developed the idea for the project and the city is responsible for construction and "day-to-day" operations of the facility.
The city plans to hire a part-time manager to oversee SAEC operations, along with a board of directors that is separate from the city's parks' system, Mayor Paul Choate said.
Union County agreed to handle site preparation, including clearing, grubbing and leveling -- all of which began last fall.
In December, Edmonds told city council members that the bid package for the project was still being drafted.
The EWB signed off on the $.3.7 million funding request with the caveat that the SAEC committee come up with cost estimates for two options -- the initial proposal and options that include larger classrooms, seating capacity and concessions and additional restrooms.
Edmonds previously explained that the $3.7 million will likely cover the base-bid projects and the SAEC committee would have to return to the EWB for any additional funding for the alternate bids.
He told the council in December that dirt work had begun prior to the completion of a topographic survey -- which posed a challenge with the amount of fill dirt that was available onsite.
"So, the county has changed game plans to re-grade that back to the east instead of the west," Edmonds said.
City Council Member Frank Hash asked if a contractor would have to wait until that component of the project is completed before conducting the land survey and advancing to the design phase.
"So, what we're going to do is -- yes, to answer your question --, we're going to get that on a grade with the majority of that dirt moved and then they can complete their (topographic survey) and the design of the structure itself can go forward," Edmonds said. "So, we're still a little bit of way from that."
Union County Judge Mike Loftin later told the News-Times that county crews were not aware of how much dirt had to be moved until the site was cleared.
"We moved the location of the building to the north so I wouldn't have to move so much dirt," Loftin said.
The work began about mid-October and with winter weather approaching, crews were heading into a time crunch, Loftin noted.
"After we got it cleared and started taking some grade shots out there, we had one corner of that building that was going to be a 22-foot fill and for me to move dirt with track hoes and dump trucks and whatever, it was going to take a long time," he explained.
Loftin subsequently decided to contract the remainder of the work and sought out quotes, eventually settling on a North Louisiana contractor with the lowest quote of $250,000.
"I don't (yet) know what exactly I spent on the clearing we did with our equipment and our people but the $250,000 will basically be the cost of the contractor," the county judge said.
"It's actually going to be a lot cheaper to contract it out." he continued. "He's working by the hour so the cost may be a little more or a little less."
Loftin the job is still underway and the completion of the work depends on the weather.