Noreen Hyslop photo Dale Rogers (forefront), from the architectural firm of Robert Stearnes & Assoc., along with Dr. Ken Jackson, Superintendent of Schools and Dexter School Board President Herman Morse, review the initial bid of the four bids presented to the board for consideration at a meeting late Tuesday afternoon for the purpose of constructing the Bearcat Event Center.

The local firm of Brown Construction outbid three other contenders who were vying for the contract to construct the Bearcat Event Center, it was learned late Tuesday as board members met in an open session for the purpose of opening submitted bids.

Dale Rogers, the architect for the project, began the opening of envelopes just after the 4 p.m. deadline yesterday before board members and a room full of anxious contractors. Bid tabulation sheets were afforded all contractors and guests to tally the bids and the projected subcontracting figures as they were announced.

"We know well the amount of time and the dollars spent in order to put a bid like this together," Rogers told the contractors present prior to opening the bids, as he thanked each for their interest in the project and for their submissions.

In a remarkably close field of figures, Brown Construction presented the lowest overall bid of $8,213,000, which was only $87,000 less than the next lowest bid that came from Kiefner Brothers, Inc. out of Cape Girardeau. The amount was deemed extremely close by not only board members present, but by the contractors attending the session, when considering the sizable amount of the project.

Other bids were read from Penzel Construction out of Jackson and from R.L. Persons based in Poplar Bluff. Persons had the high bid of $8,950,000 and Penzel's was $8,551,000.

Brown's bid included an estimated timetable of 550 days to conclude the project, which will consist of a center that will accommodate 2,600 people and will be available for hosting local, district and state extracurricular activities. Plans also include a stage area and an indoor walking track for the public to utilize. The center will be constructed between the high school and Southwest Elementary campuses on Grant Street.

"The district is pleased to award the contract for the Bearcat Center to Steve Brown of Brown Construction," Jackson announced following a 6 p.m. session last night to formally name the successful bidder.

"The district has the opportunity to work with Brown Construction on a number of occasions and we are confident in their work and very pleased to award them the contract for construction."