Athletic Complex Nestled into Thriving School Campus
Architect: Chapman Coyle Chapman
Civil Engineer: Pond Engineering
Location: Peachtree Corners, Georgia
Project Overview:
The history of the Wesleyan School dates back to 1963. Rich in tradition, the school remains true to its mission to be a Christian school of academic excellence. For decades the campus has evolved with the needs of the students and faculty to promote spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social growth. When it was time to evolve again, Wesleyan launched its sixth capital campaign. Hodges and Hicks was hired to begin construction on the new athletic complex one month before the world entered a global pandemic, yet the project pressed forward to overcome challenges and deliver an integrated campus experience, along with many new athletic facilities in support of Wesleyan’s mission.
Highlights:
- A formal RFP process led to the selection of Hodges & Hicks General Contractors.
- The central location of the athletic complex presented challenging logistics as material deliveries and construction activities were planned around campus activities like carpool.
- Thoughtful preconstruction studies and creative value engineering allowed Wesleyan to initiate construction for components of their campus originally set for future phases – like the practice field.
- Seasoned construction teams managed complex sitework, coordinated with utility companies during challenging times to bring utilities to the site, and overcame bad soil conditions,
- Construction teams worked alongside experts to create new extensive underground detention below parking lots and fields to handle storm water while protecting the existing lake from runoff.
- Close partnership with Wesleyan leaders allowed the campus to remain fully functional in accordance with their needs.
- Hodges & Hicks remained a good neighbor to surrounding businesses and homes through proactive planning, isolating construction traffic from nearby residential neighborhoods.
- The team achieved success through unprecedented labor and material shortages.
- Seasoned construction teams worked intentionally to meet the high level of standards and quality desired by Wesleyan.
Results:
Through challenging times, Hodges & Hicks remained committed to Wesleyan and their vision, delivering additional future phases of work within the nine-month timeframe. The new Hoyt Family Athletic Complex unites the campus while providing upgraded facilities that will lead the way to enriching student’s lives. Permanent stadiums and event space offer new opportunities for community members to enjoy a game or the amenities of the Wesleyan School. Through collaboration and service, Hodges & Hicks forged a partnership built on trust for a thriving campus that will sustain well into the future.
Project Scope
More than 11 acres of sitework in preparation for integrating a new athletic complex into an existing campus. New athletic components included a lacrosse field and permanent stadium, upgrades in lighting, a new softball field and stadium, an artificial turf practice field, an additional football practice field, 50 additional parking spaces, and an 8,600 square-foot field house. The fieldhouse, a heavy-timber structure, included locker rooms, concessions, training rooms, and a large covered gathering space.
Schedule: January 2020 – September 2020
