What’s going on along US-131? Jeremy Amshey O‑A‑K’s Chief Operating Officer, and Al Cumings, Tri-County’s School Superintendent, tour the new elementary that will bring together multiple schools for Tri-County making for a centralized campus.
Where West Michigan Comes to Play | The Meijer Sports Complex Expansion
Ten years ago, the West Michigan Sports Commission broke ground on a vision. On May 11, 2026, they cut the ribbon on the next chapter of it.
Since opening in 2015, the Meijer Sports Complex in Plainfield Township has drawn athletes and families from across the country, quietly becoming one of West Michigan's most reliable engines for sports tourism and community recreation. But for WMSC President Mike Guswiler and his team, the original vision was never fully complete. A winning streak campaign and the right partnership brought that vision back to life.
O-A-K returned as Construction Manager to help make it happen.
"We wanted to build upon what we started," Guswiler said at the ribbon cutting. "We saw the Meijer Sports Complex producing the sports tourism we were looking for, but also serving as a community asset. So we brought O-A-K back to the table and said, 'Let's improve what we did.'"
The $13.5 million expansion adds the Alro Steel Championship Softball Field as its centerpiece, a signature venue designed to rival the facility's existing Boss Family Championship Field. The field features a canopy, press box, bleacher system, and lighting built for evening tournament play. Aquinas College's women's softball team already called it home during their spring season, and it will serve youth leagues from 8U and up alongside adult amateur and collegiate competition.
Rounding out the expansion: 20 new pickleball courts, two flex-use diamond fields, bullpen facilities, a concession building, restrooms, a playground, and 300 additional parking spots.
For O-A-K Project Manager Jared Gauss and his team, the project carried the weight of a returning partnership and a community that had been watching the complex grow for more than a decade.
"It was an exciting project," Gauss said. "The level of detail that went into this facility, from the bullpens to the bleacher system to the canopy and press box, everything was designed to put on a great tournament event."
The expanded complex is projected to welcome 200 additional teams annually and generate an extra $1 million in visitor spending for the region each year. For a facility that already returns roughly $90 million in annual economic impact on a $2.6 million operating budget, the expansion represents something more than square footage. It represents a community that keeps investing in itself.
"Our donors are going to be as pleased as we are with the result," Guswiler said.
So will the families, the athletes, and the teams who will call this place home for years to come.
Mass Timber, Up Close: Inside Kalamazoo College's New Residence Hall
Some of the best conversations in construction happen on site, surrounded by the work itself. That was the case when Dan Gelder, project superintendent for Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., caught up with Susan Lindemann, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management at Kalamazoo College, on site at their new residence hall for a conversation about what makes this project worth talking about.
"We are putting up our first new residence hall in 60 years here at Kalamazoo College," Susan said, "and we really think it's a special build."
Why Mass Timber?
For the Kalamazoo College team, mass timber was not just a structural choice. It was a values statement.
"Mass timber is really biophilic," Susan explained. "Studies have shown that introducing natural materials into a building space actually reduces anxiety and stress and improves productivity. We really want that for our students."
Mass timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams are manufactured by bonding layers of wood under pressure, creating structural elements strong enough to replace steel and concrete. The material is lighter, faster to install, and stores carbon rather than emitting it, making it one of the more compelling low-carbon options in construction today. All of the timber on this project is southern pine, sourced from the southeastern United States and manufactured in Alabama.
Sustainability at the Core
Mass timber is one piece of a broader sustainability story at Kalamazoo College. The four-story residence hall also incorporates geothermal heating and cooling, passive energy strategies, and high-performance building systems alongside student lounges, a community kitchen, a marketplace, study spaces, and other shared amenities. Construction is on track for completion in Summer 2027.
O-A-K recently welcomed students from Michigan State University's Mass Timber program to the jobsite, along with supplier SmartLam North America, for a tour as Quality Buildings LLC begins timber installation at the east tower and lobby. For the next generation of builders, there is no better classroom than the jobsite itself.
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., alongside Hendry County School District leaders, elected officials, students, and community members, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new LaBelle High School on Tuesday, April 28, marking a significant milestone in the future of education in Hendry County.
Held at the future campus site on Helms Road, formerly orange groves owned and farmed by the Hansen family, the ceremony honored both the community’s agricultural roots and its forward-looking investment in education.
The program included a presentation of colors, an invocation by Reverend Preston Long Jr., remarks from district, school leadership, a LaBelle High School student, and the Mayor of LaBelle followed by the official ceremonial groundbreaking.
Attendees enjoyed a performance by the LaBelle High School Vaquero Jazz Ensemble and refreshments prepared by the school’s culinary students. Additional student groups represented included the Public Service Academy, Future Farmers of America, and Student Government, highlighting the diverse opportunities available to students.
The new LaBelle High School represents a $123 million investment and will include a state-of-the-art, 220,000-square-foot campus designed to serve approximately 1,500 students. The modern facility will replace the existing high school, originally built in the 1970s, and will feature advanced academic classrooms, career and technical education spaces, athletics facilities, and enhanced safety and accessibility features.
“This project represents a major milestone for Hendry County,” said Michael Swindle, Superintendent of Hendry County School District. “While our team had not previously built a new high school, Owen-Ames-Kimball has been an outstanding partner, guiding us through every step of the process with expertise, transparency, and a true commitment to our community. We are deeply grateful to our state legislators, School Board members, County Commissioners, and City Commissioners for working together to make this new campus a reality.”
“Owen-Ames-Kimball is proud to partner with the Hendry County School District on a project that will have a lasting impact on students, families, and the entire LaBelle community,” said Jim Hopper, President of O-A-K’s Florida Division. “This new campus is more than a building—it represents opportunity, growth, and a commitment to preparing students for the future through modern learning environments and hands-on career pathways.”
Notably, three members of the O-A-K project team are graduates of LaBelle High School, bringing a personal connection and deep sense of pride to the project as they help build the future of their hometown.
“This is not just a construction site—it is the foundation of our future and the beginning of a new era for our community,” said Tammy Bass, Principal of LaBelle High School. “Our students are dedicated, hardworking, and incredibly talented. They will excel in an environment that reflects their potential—a professional setting that matches their ambition. They are absolutely worth it.”
Construction management for the project is being led by Owen-Ames-Kimball, in partnership with Grace Design Studios, LLC, and Rock Enterprises, LLC. The collaborative team will deliver a campus designed to support both academic excellence and workforce readiness.
The new LaBelle High School is anticipated to finish construction at the end of 2027, providing generations of students with a modern, safe, and inspiring place to learn and grow.
Owen-Ames-Kimball’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O-A-K at www.owen-ames-kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.
Where West Michigan Comes to Play | The Meijer Sports Complex Expansion
Ten years ago, the West Michigan Sports Commission broke ground on a vision. On May 11, 2026, they cut the ribbon on the next chapter of it.
Since opening in 2015, the Meijer Sports Complex in Plainfield Township has drawn athletes and families from across the country, quietly becoming one of West Michigan's most reliable engines for sports tourism and community recreation. But for WMSC President Mike Guswiler and his team, the original vision was never fully complete. A winning streak campaign and the right partnership brought that vision back to life.
O-A-K returned as Construction Manager to help make it happen.
"We wanted to build upon what we started," Guswiler said at the ribbon cutting. "We saw the Meijer Sports Complex producing the sports tourism we were looking for, but also serving as a community asset. So we brought O-A-K back to the table and said, 'Let's improve what we did.'"
The $13.5 million expansion adds the Alro Steel Championship Softball Field as its centerpiece, a signature venue designed to rival the facility's existing Boss Family Championship Field. The field features a canopy, press box, bleacher system, and lighting built for evening tournament play. Aquinas College's women's softball team already called it home during their spring season, and it will serve youth leagues from 8U and up alongside adult amateur and collegiate competition.
Rounding out the expansion: 20 new pickleball courts, two flex-use diamond fields, bullpen facilities, a concession building, restrooms, a playground, and 300 additional parking spots.
For O-A-K Project Manager Jared Gauss and his team, the project carried the weight of a returning partnership and a community that had been watching the complex grow for more than a decade.
"It was an exciting project," Gauss said. "The level of detail that went into this facility, from the bullpens to the bleacher system to the canopy and press box, everything was designed to put on a great tournament event."
The expanded complex is projected to welcome 200 additional teams annually and generate an extra $1 million in visitor spending for the region each year. For a facility that already returns roughly $90 million in annual economic impact on a $2.6 million operating budget, the expansion represents something more than square footage. It represents a community that keeps investing in itself.
"Our donors are going to be as pleased as we are with the result," Guswiler said.
So will the families, the athletes, and the teams who will call this place home for years to come.
Mass Timber, Up Close: Inside Kalamazoo College's New Residence Hall
Some of the best conversations in construction happen on site, surrounded by the work itself. That was the case when Dan Gelder, project superintendent for Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., caught up with Susan Lindemann, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management at Kalamazoo College, on site at their new residence hall for a conversation about what makes this project worth talking about.
"We are putting up our first new residence hall in 60 years here at Kalamazoo College," Susan said, "and we really think it's a special build."
Why Mass Timber?
For the Kalamazoo College team, mass timber was not just a structural choice. It was a values statement.
"Mass timber is really biophilic," Susan explained. "Studies have shown that introducing natural materials into a building space actually reduces anxiety and stress and improves productivity. We really want that for our students."
Mass timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams are manufactured by bonding layers of wood under pressure, creating structural elements strong enough to replace steel and concrete. The material is lighter, faster to install, and stores carbon rather than emitting it, making it one of the more compelling low-carbon options in construction today. All of the timber on this project is southern pine, sourced from the southeastern United States and manufactured in Alabama.
Sustainability at the Core
Mass timber is one piece of a broader sustainability story at Kalamazoo College. The four-story residence hall also incorporates geothermal heating and cooling, passive energy strategies, and high-performance building systems alongside student lounges, a community kitchen, a marketplace, study spaces, and other shared amenities. Construction is on track for completion in Summer 2027.
O-A-K recently welcomed students from Michigan State University's Mass Timber program to the jobsite, along with supplier SmartLam North America, for a tour as Quality Buildings LLC begins timber installation at the east tower and lobby. For the next generation of builders, there is no better classroom than the jobsite itself.
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. is pleased to announce that Rob Rotchadl has joined the company as Senior Director of Strategy and Finance.
Rotchadl brings nearly 20 years of experience in strategic finance, planning, and operational leadership. Throughout his career, he has partnered closely with executive teams to translate strategy into disciplined execution—aligning financial planning, performance metrics and operational priorities to drive sustainable growth.
Most recently, Rotchadl served as Vice President of Finance for a multi-entity commercial real estate services platform, where he led long-range planning, forecasting and performance management initiatives. Earlier in his career, he held a senior financial planning and analysis leadership role with Hilton Hotels & Resorts, supporting enterprise forecasting and strategic planning at scale. He earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
In his new role, Rotchadl will work directly with O-A-K’s leadership team to enhance financial visibility, strengthen strategic planning processes, and ensure the company’s continued growth is supported by clear, data-driven decision-making and operational alignment.
“Rob brings a thoughtful, disciplined approach to strategy and finance that aligns perfectly with our growth trajectory,” said Jim Hopper, Florida Division President of O-A-K. “His experience and perspective will help strengthen our ability to plan, perform, and deliver at a high level as we continue expanding across the region.”
“I’m excited to join an organization with such a strong reputation for both performance and culture,” said Rotchadl. “O-A-K’s employee-owned structure and commitment to building meaningful, community-driven projects create a powerful foundation for long-term success. I look forward to working alongside the team to strengthen our strategic planning and support continued, sustainable growth.”
Owen-Ames-Kimball’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers.
For more information, visit www.owen-ames-kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.
