Flintco Building Fort Smith Aquatics Center

Flintco LLC, the managing contractor for construction of the Ben Geren Aquatics Center in Fort Smith, is overseeing nearly 30 subcontractors on the $9.7-million build out.

Tulsa-based Flintco, a national contractor with headquarters in Springdale, was chosen over four other firms interviewed for the project, said Jeff Dingman, deputy city administrator for Fort Smith.

Part of what made Flintco stand out among the others, Dingman said, is the contractor had experience under its belt. Flintco also built the Rogers Aquatics Center, which opened in May 2013.

Fort Smith recently received responses to its Request for Proposal from three aquatics management companies. Dingman said a decision has not been made on how the joint Fort Smith/Sebastian County aquatics center would be managed, but looking at proposals from private companies would be prudent, he said.

The center, complete with slides, a lazy river and pools, is more than 20,000 SF. City officials hope the facility is open in time for Memorial Day 2015.

“We’re hoping for good construction weather from here on out,” Dingman said. “It’s certainly a tight schedule.”