The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities, has announced the winners of its annual awards with GMB winning the multi-field facility of the year honor. West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex was recognized as the top multi-field facility in the nation.
West Ottawa’s new stadium consists of two turf playing fields and creates a one-of-a-kind intimate experience for fans and athletes alike. The west field was designed deliberately without a surrounding track to bring the stands and field closer together with a central tunnel beneath the grandstands for the home team to enter onto the field. The same synthetic turf, light posts, and state-of-the-art AV systems are utilized on both fields for an equitable experience for all users. Multiple ground-level entry points with access to the fields, barrier-free locker rooms and multiple seating options with elevator access also creates accessibility for spectators, players, coaches, and support staff.
“This facility allows our students the opportunity to play in one of the premier complexes in the state of Michigan,” said Jeff Malloch, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services at West Ottawa Public Schools. “We have seen continued interest in lacrosse, football, and soccer, and this complex will be utilized by our community youth from elementary age to high school student-athletes.”
Adding elevated fan experiences, such as a concourse level between the upper and lower sections of the home stands, bigger bleachers, and updated concession stands and restrooms, establishes a venue for multiple sports and attracts the entire community to utilize the facility.
“This is a one-of-a kind facility for West Michigan, and it’s been wonderful to see student athletes from across the state enjoy the complex’s unique amenities,” said Nate Bosch, a Landscape Architect with GMB. “The collaboration needed to make this project come to life was an inspiring process to be a part of, and we are so pleased to celebrate this accomplishment with West Ottawa.”
This is the first time a GMB project has been awarded a multi-field facility of the year honor by the ASBA. GMB has also received four project of the year honors in the outdoor tennis category and 20 distinguished awards from ASBA for other athletic facility projects in the past twelve years.
Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify excellence in sports facility design and construction, as well as an understanding of the technical requirements and current professional standards for athletics facilities. Projects are scored individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation, and overall impression.
About GMB
Opportunity for all. That’s the world GMB strives to see. Our integrated team of educational planners, architects, engineers, and marketers are just one part of the learning ecosystem that will make that happen. GMB believes education provides transformational opportunities for our communities, industries, and our world. As a learning organization structured for ideation, innovation, and sharing of knowledge, GMB’s hubs of experts in Grand Rapids, Holland and Royal Oak, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Greenville, South Carolina serve lifelong learners across the country. GMB believes in helping clients place learners in environments where they can thrive. Learn more at www.gmb.com.
About West Ottawa Public Schools
At West Ottawa, we focus on preparing our students to be college, career and life ready. West Ottawa Public Schools works diligently to meet the goals of our district – and the high standards of our educators, parents and community. West Ottawa Public Schools was recently ranked by Niche.com as the Best Public School District in Ottawa County and has been a recipient of U.S. News and World Report “Best High Schools” Silver Award for seven consecutive years. Along with our award-winning high school programs, we offer world class educational experiences among our eight elementary schools and two middle school campuses. West Ottawa rounds out the educational experience with renowned vocal, instrumental, performing and visual arts opportunities as well as excellent athletic programs. Learn more at www.westottawa.net.
