Construction cost estimates for the Pine-Richland High School expansion project are at about $34 million as project planners get ready to request bids for the work.

Dana Damon, of P.J. Dick, the project's construction company, told the school board Monday night that the documents being prepared include an estimated base cost of $32.6 million. Additionally, bids are being requested to renovate areas for athletics; music; family and consumer sciences, and for replacing the building's roof, he said.

Once the bids are received and the costs of the various options are reviewed, the school board will vote on whom to award the bid and what options to include.

Project Manager Cassandra Renninger, of Eckles Architecture and Engineering, said the request for bids will be sent out Sept. 3 with an Oct. 5 deadline for the bids to be opened.

That will enable to school board to vote at its Oct. 11 meeting to award the bid, she said.

School Director Scott Stedeford said he thought the schedule for a vote was very aggressive and he questioned whether it allowed enough time for review. Board President Stephen Hawbaker said school directors had seen the information previously.

"I'm encouraged ... with the dollars and the timeline, Mr. Hawbaker said.