The lighting system is part of Phase 1 of the $4 million Gridley Sports Complex project. Designed by Freepik, www.freepik.com

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Two weeks after city officials raised alarms over “quicksand-like” soil conditions at Gridley’s new sports complex, the City Council voted unanimously to authorize Bennett Engineering to conduct full geotechnical testing at all seven light post locations.

The $65,037.20 contract amendment allows Bennett’s subcontractor, Crawford & Associates, to bore next to each proposed light pole and provide site-specific soil data needed to finalize structural designs for stadium lighting, which includes 70-foot steel lighting poles.

The decision marks a shift from the Oct. 7 proposal to drill just three sample borings, which was tabled amid concerns about cost and testing scope.

The borings will reach depths of 40 to 50 feet, unless stable soil is found sooner, according to City Engineer Dave Harden, co-owner of Bennett Engineering.

Harden previously reported that a 16-foot test hole had sunk 11 inches within an hour, revealing about 22 feet of clean sand below the surface. The soil is subject to liquefaction, which could compromise the integrity of the lighting foundations without deeper analysis, he said.

While the expanded testing adds upfront costs, city officials said it could prevent more expensive fixes later by ensuring each foundation is tailored to actual soil conditions.

“Not being an engineer, but I think that’s more logical for this problem,” said Mayor Mike Farr, referring to the plan to bore beside each pole location rather than rely on generalized samples.

The lighting system is part of Phase 1 of the $4 million Gridley Sports Complex project, which includes three multi-use fields funded in part by a $3 million Proposition 68 grant. City officials say the borings will help ensure each foundation meets wind and seismic safety standards.