Robins & Morton has begun construction on the $76.5 million Gadsden Athletic Center, a large-scale sports and recreation complex being developed on nearly 29 acres along West Meighan Boulevard in Gadsden, Ala., according to AL.com.
The project includes construction of a two-story, 120,000-sq.-ft. comprehensive recreation center along with extensive outdoor sports facilities and supporting site infrastructure. Robins & Morton is serving as construction manager for the project, while Chambless King Architects is the architect, AL.com reported.
Once complete, the year-round facility will bring courts, aquatics, fitness, family entertainment and outdoor play spaces together in one location designed to support tournaments, community events and regional sports tourism, according to The Sports Facilities Companies.
Building Construction Scope
The indoor component will include approximately 161,000 sq. ft. of athletics space. Plans call for eight hardwood basketball courts designed with striping and overlays for volleyball and pickleball, along with a large fitness center and flexible meeting and event rooms, AL.com reported.
Construction also includes a family entertainment center featuring arcade games, duckpin bowling and sports simulators. An indoor aquatics center is part of the scope, with a six-lane, 25-yd. competition pool and a zero-entry leisure pool that will require specialized structural, mechanical and humidity-control systems.
The building is designed to support year-round programming and large event loads, with layouts intended to allow multiple uses to operate simultaneously, according to The Sports Facilities Companies.
Site Infrastructure and Field Development
In addition to vertical construction, the project includes significant site infrastructure work across the nearly 29-acre campus. Contractors are performing grading and earthwork to establish building pads, athletic fields and spectator zones.
Outdoor construction includes four natural grass baseball and softball diamonds with 300-ft. field dimensions, 12 outdoor pickleball courts and supporting amenities such as pavilions and playground areas, AL.com reported.
Site work also includes installation of internal roadways, parking areas and pedestrian circulation designed to handle tournament-scale traffic. Crews are installing water, sewer, storm drainage and electrical utilities to serve both indoor and outdoor facilities.
The site plan incorporates stormwater management systems to control runoff from roofs, paved surfaces and athletic fields, along with exterior lighting for nighttime use and landscaped pedestrian connections throughout the complex.
Project Delivery and Economic Impact
The Sports Facilities Companies is partnering with the city of Gadsden on the project and is supporting the development through planning, marketing and operational preparation, according to company officials. That work includes staff recruitment, training and sports tourism sales initiatives designed to build a full events calendar ahead of opening.
Mayor Craig Ford said the project already has created approximately 200 construction jobs and is expected to generate another 200 positions once the facility opens, according to The Sports Facilities Companies.
City leaders project the center will host more than 100 events annually. Visitor spending is expected to grow to nearly $20 million annually within five years, with more than $80 million in cumulative economic impact projected over that period, AL.com reported.
Construction is expected to be completed next year.
