IMPACT Strategies Inc., Academy Sports + Outdoors, O’Fallon, Ill.

By RITA DUCKWORTH
    Construction is underway at Academy Sports + Outdoors at the Lincoln Crossing shopping center in the 1500 block of West U.S. 50 in O’Fallon, Ill.
    The sporting goods retailer says it offers “apparel, footwear, equipment and gear for the fan, enthusiast and participant.” It will be the Texas-based company’s first store Illinois, as well as in the St. Louis region. IMPACT Strategies Inc. of Fairview Heights is acting as general contractor for the project.
    Mike Voss, project manager on the job, says that this is the first time IMPACT Strategies is working with Academy Sports + Outdoors. The architect and engineering firm behind Academy’s more than 200 locations is Harrison French & Associates based in Bentonville, Ark.
    As Voss explains, the Academy store was a “pad-ready” site.
    “A different out-of-state general contractor was secured by the developer to perform work on the adjacent PetSmart building. This included project utility modifications, and all other site work,” he said.
    During the site preparation, PetSmart’s western facing wall was removed and rebuilt, reducing the size of that retail space. That wall now abuts the new Academy building’s eastern wall.
    IMPACT Strategies began their phase of the work in May with concrete footings and foundations, followed by plumbing and electrical work.
    The completed building will be approximately 63,000 square feet and has a price tag of more than $4.5 million. It is being constructed using tilt-up concrete wall panels, meaning the walls are constructed on the ground, then lifted into place using cranes.
    Voss explains that the building process suffered delays caused by inclement weather. It was behind schedule, however time is being made up throughout the rest of the project. He is confident that the building will be completed in time for its scheduled grand opening for the upcoming holiday season.