Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatic Center

The Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatic Center is a transformative facility for the City of Opelika, Alabama, encompassing approximately 81,500 square feet and featuring a new Olympic-sized competition swimming pool, grandstand seating with a shade structure, a shallow recreation pool with a play structure, and a new entrance building with locker rooms, offices, concessions, and support spaces. The project also included enhancements at the Covington Recreation Center, such as a new outdoor pool and splash pad, further expanding the city’s recreational amenities. Delivered under a Construction Management Agency (CMA) model, Robins & Morton coordinated five prime contractors and managed the project within a $2.59 million budget, ensuring the city’s vision for a state-of-the-art community resource was realized.

The project presented several significant challenges, including complex coordination among pool consultants, MEP engineers, and structural teams, as well as the need for early procurement of long-lead items to meet event deadlines. Excavation during Alabama’s wettest months required extensive soil management, and late-stage issues with fencing and electrical work threatened the Memorial Day opening, necessitating temporary solutions. Managing multiple prime contractors introduced risks of scope gaps, which were mitigated through rigorous documentation, detailed bid packaging, and daily stand-up meetings to align all trade contractors. Robins & Morton’s proactive approach, including early engagement in design and adaptive scheduling, was critical in overcoming these obstacles and maintaining project momentum.

Robins & Morton’s leadership was instrumental in the project’s success, providing strategic guidance, streamlining communication among stakeholders, and leveraging in-house scheduling and quality management tools. Their experience with multi-prime delivery and robust contractor prequalification processes ensured that only the most capable trade contractors participated, minimizing risk and maximizing value for the client. The firm’s collaborative, client-focused approach fostered a positive team culture, enabled real-time problem-solving, and delivered the project on time and within budget. The result is a vibrant, high-quality facility that serves as a cornerstone for community wellness and recreation in Opelika.