Six Contractors Bid on Peabody Stadium

Caught between escalating construction costs and decades of SBHS posterity, the school district may use armory funds to rebuild Peabody Stadium.

Bids to rebuild Santa Barbara High School’s legendary Peabody Stadium were opened ceremoniously at school district headquarters on Tuesday, July 11. Six contractors submitted bids — five more than the previous go-round that resulted in a too-high bid — which ranged from a low of $28.7 million by AMG & Associates of Valencia and a high of $38.8 million from Bryom-Davey of San Diego. Frank Schipper Construction was the only Santa Barbara bidder.

The bids will now be reviewed by construction consultant Lundgren Management for “responsiveness and responsibility,” and the winning bid will be presented to the school board on July 27, said facilities director Dave Hetyonk.

The effort to earthquake-proof the 93-year-old stadium and improve its drainage is now estimated to cost $38 million. So far, from state, private, and Measure Q funds, about $15.5 million is in hand. Most recently, another $6 million from Measure I — voted in to purchase and renovate the Canon Perdido Street National Guard armory — has been eyed for Peabody’s restoration.