Sports complex preparing for expansion
Midwest City leaders approved a design contract for the third phase of the Multi-Purpose Athletic Center. Image provide
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
Midwest City leaders approved plans to expand two of the city’s newest public facilities.
The city council accepted a master agreement and two task orders with C.H. Guernsey & Co. totaling $613,550 for design work the next phase of the Multi-Purpose Athletic Complex (MAC) and modifications to the Police/Fire Training Center.
The city will spend $530,550, for architectural and engineering services for Phase 3 of the MAC, and $83,000, on design work to expand and improve the recently completed Police/Fire Training Center.
The MAC phase 3 includes adding three new turf fields, concession stand and additional parking.
Fire Chief Doug Beabout explained the need for upgrades to the training facility. The project will include expanding a storage building that is shared between the two departments.
“We’re kind of already on top of each other,” he said.
C.H. Guernsey was selected through a competitive bidding process. Four firms submitted qualifications, and a staff committee chose Guernsey based on their experience with the MAC’s master plan and their completion of Phase 1 and 2.
“They’ve got all the tools to keep moving forward with that,” Sullivan said. “The same applies to the Police and Fire Training Center—they did the initial design and oversaw construction on Phase 1.
It seemed logical to us that they design the renovation.”
When asked about combining both projects under one agreement, Sullivan said there wasn’t a financial incentive for doing so, but added, “The economies of scale come out of the fact that Guernsey did the first design and the second design on the MAC.”
Ward 2 Councilmember Pat Byrne also praised the impact of the MAC on the community and regional sports tourism.
“For those of you in the community that don’t realize how big the MAC has grown, Josh [Ryan, Parks and Recreation Director] doesn’t get a weekend off,” Byrne said. “He’s turning people away for tournaments.”
Sullivan confirmed that high demand led to the city turning down major events. The National Softball Hall of Fame has agreed to assist with the Phase 3 planning, Sullivan said.
Funding for both projects is available in the FY 25–26 budget. Police/Fire Training Center project will be paid for with bond funds, while Phase 3 of the MAC is covered in the city budget.
Lippert Brothers will oversee construction of the projects.
