With a new dormitory nearing completion,Copiah-Lincoln Community College leaders are moving forward withseveral other new renovation projects.

    The board of trustees on Thursday approved a bid on new pavingprojects to be undertaken at Co-Lin’s Wesson campus. The projectwill include paving the James H. Stribling parking lot and parkinglots at the tennis court and football field.

    Co-Lin President Dr. Ronnie Nettles said lack of parking at thecampus is a problem the paving will address.

    “We should get about 30 new parking spaces out of this,” Nettlessaid.

    The paving of the James H. Stribling and tennis court lots will addpavement to lots that currently lack it.

    Co-Lin Director of Public Relations Natalie Davis said the James H.Stribling project will take in part of the grounds around it andthat the tennis court slated for paving is a dirt lot right now.Curbing will also be added at that lot.

    Board members did raise questions concerning the lowest bid of$197,307.33 by Alan L. Coleman.

    “Do we know this guy is qualified?” said board member BarryTyson.

    Tyson pointed out that the next lowest bid was by a company theboard is familiar with and was only about $2,600 more thanColeman’s low bid.

    “All his bonding is in order,” Nettles said of Coleman’s bid. “Iknow he is very eager to do the project.”

    Coleman’s bonding would cover the cost of the project were he notto complete it, Nettles said.

    Administrators also pointed out that the college was required toaccept the lowest and best bid unless there was a specific reasonto believe it was not the best bid. The board went on to approvethe bid unanimously.

    Nettles also reported that renovation of the Frank Pitts FieldHouse will begin Nov. 1 after football season has finished.

    “It will be a larger space,” Davis said of the renovation plans.”There is not much there right now.”

    Davis estimated completion of the renovations in late spring orearly summer of next year.

    In other construction news, Nettles reported on progress of newrestrooms and a concessions area at the football field. Nettlessaid the wooden concession area will be torn down and replaced by acinderblock structure.

    The board also approved the college’s purchase orders of more than$5,000, which included a non-routine charge this month.

    The purchase order sheet included a charge of $12,000 incurred as aresult of Co-Lin’s participation in a sports documentary aboutjunior college and community college football in Mississippi.

    “For this money, we get 20 hours of high definition footage, whichwe can use for promotion videos,” Nettles said.

    The film was primarily shot on campus Sep. 28 and 29. The footageincludes interviews with Nettles and students, footage of thecampus mascot walking around campus and a Co-Lin versus SouthwestMississippi Community College football game.