Reroofing project for Kandiyohi County Law Enforcement Center going out for bids

Shelby Lindrud, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·2 min read

Mar. 8—WILLMAR — The Kandiyohi County Law Enforcement Center is one step closer to getting a new roof.

The Kandiyohi County Board, at Tuesday's meeting, approved installing a Garland Company roof system on the 20-year-old structure, as well as going out for bids to find a contractor to install it.

"We started about a year ago, just planning for this roof," said Andy Thorson, county facility maintenance director. "It was an eye-opener. Most of our roofs are not as complicated as the roof over there."

Thorson reached out to Garland Company, which has worked with other local governments and school districts. After speaking with past customers of Garland, Thorson decided a Garland roof would be the best option for the LEC.

"We are going to get a longer lasting roof," Thorson said.

The county is now advertising for bids to install the roof — the contractor will need to be a Garland Company certified installer.

"I've fielded four calls from interested parties," Thorson said.

Bids will be opened April 1 and the County Board will consider bid awarding at the April 6 meeting.

The estimated budget for the project is $1.6 million to $1.7 million. Thorson said a Garland roof is more expensive, but the county will save money in lower maintenance costs.

Thorson said the bid request will include the option to split the installation over two years, starting this fall and wrapping up next spring or summer.

"We are about a month behind where we should be," and allowing a contractor to spread the project out might help the costs, Thorson said.

The county has the money in the budget to pay for the project. When the LEC building bond was paid off, the board decided to continue budgeting for the building, knowing a roof project was coming.

"It makes good sense to handle it the way we are handling it," said Commissioner Roger Imdieke.

County Administrator Larry Kleindl said the facilities plan the county created a few years back has been very helpful in planning and financing maintenance projects at county facilities.

"It really laid a road map for us," Kleindl said. "We really have a plan for the next 10 years, on how we can fund things. There should be very few surprises."

Thorson is excited for the installation of the new roof, believing it will last significantly longer than the 20 years the current roof has.

"We are looking at a 30-, 40-, 50-year roof," Thorson said.