Recreation Construction for Wellness and Community
Recreation Know-How
The best recreation facilities are measured by how people use them
From YMCAs to athletic domes and aquatic centers, you get planning, design, and construction support tailored to your program and budget. That's why we begin by understanding how your community will use the facility — not just how it will be built.
Our experience includes:
- Master planning and funding support
- Design and preconstruction services
- New builds, additions, and renovations
- Fitness and community centers
- Aquatic centers and pools
- Air-supported athletic domes
The Carl A. Nelson & Company team partners with you to deliver spaces that promote health, wellness, and community connection—on time and on budget.
Delivering Value
The best recreation projects become part of everyday community life
Our goal is a finished facility that performs as promised—on time, on budget, and ready to serve for decades. We achieve this through:
- Early constructability and cost clarity
- Best-value solutions that avoid change-order surprises
- Hands-on management so you can focus elsewhere
You get predictable schedules, transparent costs, and a facility built to serve your community for generations.
Building Trust
Community projects succeed through collaboration from planning to opening
We don’t just build structures—we build trust and long-term partnerships. Expect a stable team, direct communication, and executive engagement when needed.
- Consistent project leadership
- Executive engagement when needed
- Discovery to understand your needs
- Safety embedded in planning and daily work
You work with a hands-on team that keeps your project safe, efficient, and true to your community’s goals.
Recreation Facilities That Strengthen Community Investment
Project Portfolio
- Indoor Aquatic Center Addition
YMCA of Washington County, Washington, Iowa - 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
Planning and coordination adds value
Delivery Options for Recreation Projects
Recreation projects vary widely in ownership, funding, complexity and stakeholder needs. Carl A. Nelson & Company supports public, private and nonprofit owners through:
- Design-Build — integrated design and construction under one accountable team
- Construction Management — including Agency Construction Management (CMa) and Construction Manager at-Risk (CMAR)
- Pre-Construction — estimating, constructability, scheduling and planning before construction begins
Our experience with CMa for public recreation owners and CMAR and Design-Build for private recreation clients and in other markets is directly transferable to Iowa public recreation projects delivered through CMAR, bringing proven early collaboration, cost and schedule management, constructability and construction leadership within public procurement requirements.
Your Partner from Concept Through Construction—and Beyond
Our planning and pre-construction experience helps recreation facility owners keep budget, schedule, constructability and long-term facility needs in focus from the beginning. After completion, our team remains available to support future questions, improvements and facility growth.
Design and Engineering Expertise
Our in-house team includes licensed architects, construction engineers and degreed construction managers, providing design, BIM, code and technical coordination support throughout planning, pre-construction and construction.
Ready to plan or build?
Talk with Dan Culp, vice president of operations in our Burlington office. Dan leads our recreation project teams.
Call him now at 319-754-8415 or fill out the contact form.
Download our Recreation brochure
Overview of services, recent projects, and how we help recreation clients get the most value from their investment.
Long-term commitment to client results in successful project
Carl A. Nelson & Company stood by the YMCA of Washington County for more than 10 years while it worked out its plans and its funding to complete the two-phase construction of a new YMCA fitness and community center and aquatic center.
The most recent project was an aquatics addition that included a six-lane competition pool, family recreation pool, hot tub and saunas. Construction of the design-build project began in 2023 and was completed in 2024.
Learn more in this article from the Dec. 2024 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
With a long history of successful construction projects in Washington, Iowa, for clients including school districts, the hospital and others, leaders from the YMCA of Washington County first reached out to Carl A. Nelson & Company in 2013 to help them develop their plans and support the capital campaign. Construction of the design-build project began in 2018. Completion was in 2020.
You can read more about the Y's new community and fitness center in our portfolio pages.
“I just feel like Carl A. Nelson, in the way they supported this project, ... I felt like that they were very vested in our community and wanted it to be a success. I didn’t feel like they were just here building a building. I felt like that they were truly a part of what we were trying to do in our community.”
CANCO team's innovation leads to air-supported athletics dome construction
Proponents of adding an indoor youth sports facility for soccer and softball in Burlington, Iowa, originally planned to convert a former pre-cast concrete production plant for the purpose. Project leaders from Carl A. Nelson & Company offered another suggestion: a 94,000 SF air-supported dome.
Read more about the project in our portfolio.
“I would highly recommend Carl Nelson. The people there are very professional, they're very responsive. And they're easy to talk with. ... It's a great experience that we had with Carl Nelson. I give them two thumbs up.”
Great recreation facilities become part of everyday community life
Building community through recreational spaces
At Carl A. Nelson & Company, we specialize in building recreational facilities that enhance community enjoyment and education. Our projects include YMCA buildings, community centers, indoor sports domes, and aquatic centers, all designed to promote health and wellness.
Building lasting community assets
We focus on creating attractive, welcoming spaces that serve as community hubs for years to come. These facilities foster teamwork, friendships, and memorable life events.
Our unique approach to recreational projects
With extensive experience as general contractors, design-builders, and construction managers, we self-perform much of the work with our skilled craftsmen, ensuring quality and lasting impact.
Comprehensive planning and support
We offer pre-construction services to help plan your project, ensuring it meets your community's needs. We also assist in gaining public support through education and information sharing.
Thinking about a new or expanded community facility?
Contact Dan Culp by phone at 319-754-8415 or via our contact page.