By STEPHEN DAWKINS

Staff Writer

HOOVER – A bid of about $20 million for the Hoover Sportsplex event center general works package was approved by the City Council on Monday.

The Council approved the bid submitted by M.J. Harris Construction Services of Hoover, which was the lowest bid received at $20,278,619.

Invitations to bid were mailed to 169 vendors on the city’s vendor list, as well as posted on the city’s website, according to the resolution adopted by the Council.

Rabren General Contractors submitted the only other bid.

Plans for the $70 million complex include a roughly 145,000-square-foot event center; fields for soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball and youth football; tennis courts; a playground and walking trails.

The Council also approved a bid for renovations to the locker rooms at the city’s Recreation Center.

The lowest bid received, from Battle Miller Construction of Birmingham in the amount of $488,698, was approved by the Council.

The only other bid received was submitted by Trawick Contractors.

Councilman John Greene voted against the measure after asking whether there were any structural or safety issues with the locker rooms, how many people use the locker rooms, and comparing the amount to be spent to the city’s financial support of the school system.

Councilman John Natter was absent from the meeting.

In other business, the Council:

•Rejected the only bid received for an aeration machine, and allowed Mayor Gary Ivey to negotiate a price with the bidder not to exceed the bid amount.

•Appointed poll workers for the municipal election Aug. 23.