Texas Business reports: RICHARDSON, Texas—As world-class athletes compete for gold, silver and bronze medals at the Summer Olympics in London, construction began on the Richardson Gymnastics Center, slated for completion in January 2013.

 The 15,326 square-foot, freestanding Richardson Gymnastics Center, located at the southeast corner of Arapaho Road at Grove Road, will provide equipment and space for amateur and competitive gymnastics training and practice.  It is designed by Brinkley Sargent Architects in Dallas.

Also under construction is the new Heights Recreation Center and Aquatics Center, at Arapaho Road and Floyd Road, slated for spring 2013 opening. The projects are being built by Hill & Wilkinson and funded by City of Richardson bonds.

 “It is an honor to be building two great facilities that will help to develop and sustain the talents of young people,” said Hill & Wilkinson’s group manager Jim Sackett in a prepared statement.

The current gymnastics facility which is housed in the Heights Recreation Center, is operating at full capacity. More than 6,300 gymnastics registrants utilize the facility year-round.

Started by the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department more than 42 years ago, Richardson’s gymnastics program has grown to become one of the largest in Texas for all levels of skill and ability.  Competitive teams include Levels 3 -10 with upper level gymnasts working to earn college scholarships.  

With revenues of approximately $250 million, Hill & Wilkinson consistently ranks among the top 400 contractors in the U.S. according to Engineering News-Record.  Hill & Wilkinson has completed more than $375 million in LEED certified projects for its customers during the past five years