Skanska, a leading construction and development firm, announced the delivery of the $34.69 million Fair Oaks Recreation Complex, marking a major milestone for the East Tampa community. The newly reimagined 10.25-acre recreational campus is now open, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor amenities designed to promote health, wellness and socialization for the surrounding community.
Skanska led the project's design-build team as the builder with architecture firms Howard + Associates and Convergence Design. The complex features a state-of-the-art, 33,055-sq.-ft. recreation center, significantly expanding the footprint of the former facility. The new community center is five times the size of the original, creating opportunities for a broader range of programs and services that will benefit generations to come.
"Our team is delivering a transformative recreational hub that will enhance quality of life for the entire East Tampa community," said Chuck Jablon, senior vice president of construction of Skanska's Florida building operations. "The completion of Fair Oaks Recreation Complex represents a meaningful investment in the health and wellness of the surrounding community, while also creating vibrant spaces for socializing, activities and events that will bring together residents of all ages. I'm so proud to see this long- awaited vision become a reality."
This project integrates with its natural surroundings, incorporating the Herbert D. Carrington Sr. Community Lake and adjacent properties into a pedestrian-friendly campus. Replacing the former facility, the new center introduces a range of new amenities designed to meet the evolving needs of the community.
The community center showcases a diverse range of recreational amenities, including a full-size gymnasium and weight room; dedicated spaces for arts, music, billiards and multi-purpose programming; and a computer lab providing access to digital resources.
An anchor feature of the park is the fenced-in playground with an ADA-compliant swing and interactive splash pad with 18 lighted nozzles and a tree fountain. Outdoor amenities include a youth athletic field, two basketball courts, two pickleball courts, shuffleboard courts and 1.5 mi. of walking trails. The project also features more than 500 solar panels supporting sustainable energy atop the community center.
The completion of the Fair Oaks project underscores Skanska's commitment to building sustainable, community-centered spaces that create long-term value. The company continues to play a key role in shaping the Tampa Bay region by delivering high-impact civic and recreational projects.
The firm's past work includes award-winning renovation and expansion projects, including the Tampa Convention Center, the Coachman Park in Downtown Clearwater, the St. Petersburg Pier, Pier Approach and Gateway and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa.
For more information, visit skanska.com.
