PBK Architects ranked first for Coral Springs Sportsplex design after committee review of six competing firms for major city project
Coral Springs, Florida – A major step forward has been taken in the long-anticipated Coral Springs Sportsplex project, as city officials move closer to selecting the design team that could help shape one of the largest recreational investments in the city’s history.
After detailed presentations and review sessions held Friday at Coral Springs City Hall, a city committee ranked six architecture firms that were competing to design the Sportsplex, a development that could eventually reach a budget of up to $100 million. The process followed an earlier selection stage in which 15 firms submitted letters of interest back in April, narrowing the field to the final six contenders.
At the top of the list was PBK Architects Florida, Inc., a national firm with offices in Sarasota, which earned the number one ranking from the committee. According to city spokesperson Sayona Khandwalla, the decision came after each firm presented its vision for the large-scale project and answered questions from officials reviewing the proposals.
Behind PBK Architects, the committee ranked Arquitectonica International Corporation in second place. The remaining rankings included Fawley Bryant Architects, Inc. in third, followed by The Osborn Engineering Company, Currie Sowards Aguila Architects, Inc., and Ohlson Lavoie Corporation rounding out the list.
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The ranking process marks an important milestone, but it does not yet finalize the project’s design team. City officials emphasized that the top-ranked firm still must go through additional steps before anything is officially approved. The final selection and contract will ultimately be presented to the Coral Springs City Commission for review and a formal vote. No date has been scheduled for that decision, and the timeline for construction remains unclear.
The Sportsplex itself is envisioned as a major expansion of Coral Springs’ recreational infrastructure. The site, located at Sportsplex Drive and Royal Palm Boulevard, currently includes the Coral Springs Aquatics Complex. Plans call for preserving the existing aquatic features, including the competition pool, diving well, and lap pool, while updating or replacing surrounding buildings and infrastructure.
City documents outline a broad vision for the property, one that goes far beyond basic renovations. A centerpiece of the project is the proposed construction of a 12-court basketball gymnasium, designed to support both local programming and large-scale competitive events. Officials have also proposed upgrades and additions across the site that would significantly expand its use.
Those additions include new food and beverage areas, large gathering spaces, flexible meeting rooms, training and fitness facilities, updated locker rooms, administrative offices, and even a dedicated family entertainment area. Together, the improvements aim to transform the Sportsplex into a multi-purpose destination that serves both residents and visiting athletes.
City planners have also expressed a long-term goal of positioning the Sportsplex as a venue capable of hosting major national tournaments. That ambition plays a central role in the design expectations, with flexibility and scale seen as key factors in the evaluation process.
While the rankings provide a clearer picture of where the project is headed, there are still several unanswered questions. Officials have not yet set a timeline for construction, and further discussions are expected before final decisions are made.
For now, PBK Architects stands at the front of the field, but the project is still in its early stages. The coming months will determine not only the final design team, but also how quickly Coral Springs can move forward with one of its most ambitious sports and recreation developments to date.
