SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Bids could be solicited as early as mid-May for construction of the long-discussed athletic field house at Spanish Fort High School.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike McMillan, who has served as the City Council’s liaison to the Baldwin County Board of Education on the project, said final architectural renderings and requests for bids should be complete within three weeks. Paul Carpenter Davis Architecture is the design firm.

A point of contention throughout the process has been the possibility of cost overruns with the city swearing to cap its contribution at $400,000.

McMillan said the high school’s booster club has agreed to absorb any overruns the project incurs.

“Our exposure is strictly the $400,000, and that’s it,” McMillan told the council during an April 18 informal work session.

He did note, however, that the single-story project design will allow for future expansions up and toward the parking lot. And although initial plans call for a simple metal building, the structure is being designed to add brick at a later date, making it aesthetically uniform with the rest of the campus.

“Hopefully, we may start seeing dirt moved in mid-August,” McMillan said.