The price tag for major improvements at Bernie Aaker Auditorium could be a little larger than originally anticipated.

Meeker County Commissioners, who opened bids for the project last week, found the lowest of three bids was nearly $200,000 more than the architect’s estimate of $1.25 million.

Kue Contractors of Watkins submitted the lowest bid totaling $1,441,811. It included a base bid of $1,399,611, a $16,500 bid on providing an orchestra pit cover, a $20,000 addition for balcony seat cushions and a $5,000 add-on for floor finishing and painting.

Other bidders were Gopher State Construction of Rice and Merrimac Construction of East Bethel.

The remodeling project is a cooperative effort between the county, Litchfield School District and the city of Litchfield. They each have agreed to contribute $500,000 toward the project, which was to cover construction, architect’s fees and other expenses.

By Stan Roeser, contributing writer