Coral Springs to Vote on $1.2 Million Design Contract for Massive Sportsplex Expansion

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Rendering of the Coral Springs Sportsplex. {PBK Architects Florida, Inc.}

Coral Springs commissioners will vote Wednesday on a $1.17 million contract to begin designing a sprawling expansion of the city’s Sportsplex, including a 12-court indoor athletic and event center, major aquatics improvements and hundreds of new parking spaces.

Commissioners will consider awarding the contract to PBK Architects Florida, Inc. for the initial design phase of the Sportsplex project.

The proposed agreement covers conceptual and schematic design through a 30 percent design milestone for $1,171,988, with remaining design phases returning to the city commission for approval as necessary, city records show.

According to city documents, Coral Springs’ Parks and Recreation Department plans to redevelop the Tom Messenheimer Field site by constructing a new indoor sports facility while optimizing the city’s Aquatic Complex and Tennis Center.

The overall Sportsplex redevelopment is estimated to cost up to $100 million.

That includes a proposed indoor athletic and event center featuring eight basketball courts and four additional courts with telescopic bleachers capable of seating up to 4,000 spectators. The courts would also be designed for conversion into 36 pickleball courts or 24 volleyball courts.

Plans also call for meeting and event space, including a ballroom, a pre-function area and public restrooms.

The proposed facility would also include a family entertainment center, fitness center, small and large group exercise rooms, locker rooms, a child watch room, ticket office, management offices, concessions, café seating, catering kitchen, training room, team rooms, referee rooms and other areas.

Plans also envision around 900 parking spaces serving the indoor athletic and event site, along with outdoor trails, open green space, gathering areas and public art.

The aquatics portion of the project would be equally extensive, records show.

Planning documents call for an Olympic 50-meter competition pool, a 10-lane competition pool, and a diving well with one-meter and three-meter boards. The indoor aquatics facility would include deck seating for around 2,500 spectators, locker rooms, classrooms, concessions, and other features.

Outside, the project contemplates a splash pad, outdoor fitness area, children’s playground, lawn space, and continued use of the existing lap pool, competition pool, warm-up pool, and dive well, along with around 415 additional parking spaces and new improvements.

City records show that the project will be developed in phases. The contract before commissioners Wednesday covers only the first stage of design.

The city began soliciting qualifications for the project on March 26. Fifteen architecture and engineering firms submitted proposals before the April 29 public bid opening.

After the firms made presentations on June 5, an evaluation committee ranked PBK Architects first.

According to city records, PBK has designed more than 120 sports complexes nationwide for municipalities and colleges, including facilities hosting athletic competitions, community events, and entertainment.

The evaluation committee and the city’s purchasing division are recommending approval of the contract.

Funding for the initial design phase would come from the city’s approved capital budget.

Rendering of the Coral Springs Sportsplex. {PBK Architects Florida, Inc.}

Earlier this year, the commission approved an agreement with Sports Facilities Companies authorizing the company to pursue sponsorship and naming-rights opportunities for the project.

The city commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 9500 W. Sample Road.

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Kevin Deutsch

Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.