In the heart of Central Florida, the City of Winter Haven has long been known as “The Chain of Lakes City” a community defined not only by its natural beauty, but by its deep commitment to connection, inclusion, and quality of life. For nearly five decades, the Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center stood as a cornerstone of that commitment. Generations of children attended summer camps there. Families gathered for celebrations. Neighbors built lifelong friendships inside its gymnasium walls. Today, a new chapter stands in its place. The Collage Companies was honored to serve as Construction Manager at Risk for the new 37,000-square-foot Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center a transformational civic investment completed in 2026 and designed to meet the evolving needs of a growing and vibrant community.
Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center Ribbon Cutting – May 2026
Collage delivered the new Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center in coordination with Straughn Trout Architects (now part of Grace Design Studios) who advanced the design to ensure the facility reflects the character of the original center while meeting current community needs. The team brought together a campus that emphasizes accessibility and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
“There was a deep sense of responsibility on this project to respect what this place has meant to generations of residents. Its true success will be realized as it emerges as a destination—bringing together a diverse cross-section of Winter Haven residents for years to come.” — Tim Hoeft, Partner & Design Architect of Record with Straughn Trout, a Grace Design Studio
The original facility, constructed in 1974, faithfully served residents for nearly 50 years. However, as Winter Haven expanded and programming demands increased, it became clear that the next generation deserved a space that reflected the city’s forward-thinking vision. The new center dramatically expands capacity and functionality, introducing a double gymnasium, fitness center, flexible community and activity spaces, branch library and e-sports ready technology space business and multipurpose rooms, and a catering kitchen. Outdoors, the campus features a swimming pool, splash pad, playground, sports courts, shaded pavilions, and landscaped open space creating a true hub for residents of all ages and abilities.
“For nearly five decades, the original center was part of the heartbeat of this neighborhood—a place where families gathered and generations grew up together. As we looked to the future, it was essential that the new facility honor that legacy while creating expanded opportunities for our residents. Working alongside Straughn Trout and Collage, this project became a true collaboration—one that thoughtfully brought together vision, design, and construction to deliver a space that reflects who we are today and where we’re going as a community.” –– Andy Palmer, Parks Planning & Strategic Initiatives Manager for the City of Winter Haven.
Delivered under a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) model, Collage provided leadership from preconstruction through final completion guiding cost analysis, constructability reviews, scheduling, procurement, and daily field operations. This collaborative delivery method allowed early identification of risks, transparent budgeting, and value-driven decision-making that protected public investment while maintaining quality and schedule integrity.
“This project was about more than constructing a new facility it was about honoring a place that holds decades of community memories while building something that will serve Winter Haven for generations to come. Through strong partnership, disciplined construction management, and a shared commitment to public value, we were proud to help transform the City’s vision into a lasting civic asset.”
— Rob Maphis, President, The Collage Companies
A defining feature of this project was Collage’s partnership with Everett Whitehead & Son, Inc., a long-standing Winter Haven-based contractor. This intentional collaboration reinforced the City’s commitment to local engagement and workforce participation, while integrating regional expertise into a complex municipal project. The partnership reflected Collage’s belief that community-focused construction begins with community collaboration.
Construction began on the new Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center with careful demolition of the original 50-year-old facility, followed by extensive site work, utility installation, and foundation construction. From there, vertical construction took shape — structural systems, building envelope, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, and the detailed interior buildout required to support diverse programming spaces. Coordinating such a wide range of elements required disciplined scheduling, safety oversight, quality control, and daily coordination among trade partners, all managed under Collage’s comprehensive field leadership.
Throughout construction, close coordination with City staff ensured continuity of Parks and Recreation programming. Summer camps and public services were thoughtfully considered to minimize disruption, a reflection of the City’s commitment to residents even during transition.
Fiscal stewardship was equally central to the project’s success. Under the CMAR agreement, if the project was completed under budget, 75 percent of cost savings would be returned directly to the City, aligning Collage’s performance incentives with public value and reinforcing accountability in municipal construction. Now complete, and officially submitted for a 2026 ABC Excellence In Construction Award, the new center stands as a symbol of Winter Haven’s continued growth and resilience. It represents what is possible when a city invests boldly in its people and when construction leadership aligns with community vision.
In Winter Haven, this is not simply a replacement facility. It is a renewed commitment to gathering, learning, recreation, and connection thoughtfully brought to life through collaboration, precision, and purpose. And for The Collage Companies, it was an honor to help build that future.
In the News
Winter Haven opens its long-awaited Northeast Rec and Cultural Center
A first look inside Winter Haven’s impressive new Rec Center
Winter Haven opens culture and recreational center, honoring the past, embracing the future