Recreation Construction Management & Design-Build Contractor
Publicly and privately owned facilities like recreation centers, aquatic centers and air-supported domes to bring turf sports indoors build a sense of community — and support a community's sense of well-being.
At Carl A. Nelson & Company, we know these projects begin with the goal of providing enjoyment and education opportunities for individuals and groups in your community. And be it a YMCA building; community center building; inflatable air-supported dome for indoor sports; or pool or aquatic center, these facilities also serve as a place to gather with a focus on health, wellness and improving one’s quality of life.
When completed, it is important these facilities be attractive and welcoming, while providing each community with adequate space to support their recreational needs for many years in the future. These facilities often become an essential place in the community often providing special memories for the citizens as places where they learned teamwork, made new friends, and celebrated birthdays and other life events.
As your design-build or construction management agency service provider, Carl A. Nelson & Company can assist you with the planning of your project with pre-construction services to establish a scope, schedule, and budget that achieve your desires and fulfill the needs of the community. We can also guide you on how to gain public support through education and sharing of information.
Our approach to recreational projects is unique and simple: We know that not only will these projects be a part of your history but will also become a part of ours.
We also have experience building recreational facilities for clients in the role of general contractor. When working as design-builder, construction manager at-risk or general contractor, we self-perform much of the work we contract for with our own skilled craftsmen.

We take ownership in our projects
When Carl A. Nelson & Company takes on a project, we see ourselves not just as builders seeking to earn a profit, but partners looking to develop long-term relationships with our clients. That leads to testimonials like the ones featured in the video below. Click the links inside the video or visit our YouTube channel for full testimonials on each of the included projects, or visit the individual portfolio pages above for testimonials and additional project details.

Discover the Top 5 Reasons to choose alternative project delivery for your future construction projects
• If your recreation facility is privately owned, Design-Build is an option you can consider. Click here to find out more about this project delivery method.
• What is Construction Management Agency delivery? Click here to learn more.
Our Recreation Project Portfolio
At Carl A. Nelson & Company, we work in the role of design-builder, construction manager or general contractor to complete recreational construction projects like local YMCAs, municipal community centers, aquatic centers and air-supported athletic domes.
Visit the project pages highlighted here to see examples of Recreation construction projects completed by Carl A. Nelson & Company.
CANCO publishes brochures in several of the market segments we work in, including Recreation. Click the cover image to open our Recreation e-brochure.
Related Services and Additional Information
Nelson Design, Inc.
On construction management agency projects, Carl A. Nelson & Company's design-assist capability relies on the experience of our project managers, engineers and field personnel to ensure the best-possible quality, cost and schedule. And those efforts are backed up by the design professionals of Nelson Design, Inc., who will assist in review of the plans and specifications prepared by your architectural and engineering partners.
If your project includes pre-engineered metal buildings, CANCO has the in-house capacity to design and construct facilities to meet your needs.
Project Portfolio
- New YMCA Facility
YMCA of Washington County, Washington, Iowa - Air-Supported Indoor Athletics Dome
Greater Burlington Sports Facilities, Burlington, Iowa - New Community Rec Center Adaptive Reuse/Expansion
City of Kalona, Kalona, Iowa - Community Recreation Center Addition
City of Fairfield, Fairfield, Iowa - YMCA Facility Renovation/Expansion
Fort Madison Family YMCA, Fort Madison, Iowa - Minor League Baseball Stadium Renovations
Burlington Bees Baseball Association/City of Burlington, Burlington, Iowa - YMCA Facility Construction/Expansion
Burlington Area YMCA, Burlington, Iowa - Golf Club Clubhouse Renovation
Burlington Golf Club, Burlington, Iowa - New Aquatic Center Facility
City of Muscatine, Muscatine, Iowa - Country Club Pool Replacement
Quincy Country Club, Quincy, Illinois