BOSTON – November 17, 2025 – Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, today announced its work on Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center (STEC) in Dorchester, Mass. has earned an Excellence in Construction® (EIC) from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Massachusetts. The EIC awards program is the industry’s leading competition that honors both general and specialty contractors for world-class, safe, and innovative construction projects. Kaplan received the Eagle Award, the highest honor, in the commercial category for projects over $5 million, recognizing overall excellence in execution, craftsmanship, safety, innovation, and client satisfaction. This is the firm’s 11th Eagle Award.
Nearly 250 ABC members gathered at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood on Thursday, Nov. 7 to recognize and celebrate the very best construction projects their companies have to offer. This year’s applicant pool was particularly competitive, with each winner selected for the high standards of craftsmanship, safety, and quality delivered by talented merit shop workers using the efficient merit shop approach.
In 2023, Kaplan Construction was hired to provide preconstruction and construction management services for two phases of STEC’s capital improvements plan. Phase one involved a new 24,000 SF prefabricated building with four tennis courts and associated sitework. A connector building was also built to link the addition to the existing facility. Phase two involved a 6,500 SF interior renovation of the center’s Enrichment program area, including after-school classrooms, offices, and reconfigured locker rooms and bathrooms to increase storage and accessibility.
Sprinkler coverage was installed in the new areas, as well as in the existing tennis court buildings and restrooms.
A major challenge involved the modification and reinforcement of the existing foundation to support new building loads, in lieu of pouring all new foundations. Other key challenges included coordinating work around a fully operational facility throughout construction, while also making design and construction decisions that would not interfere with future phases of the capital campaign. With strategic foresight and innovative problem-solving with the project team, Kaplan brought both phases to completion on time and on budget.
The Massachusetts Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors is the largest construction trade association in the Commonwealth, representing nearly 500 local general contractor, subcontractor, and supplier and associate companies that employ over 20,000 workers throughout Massachusetts.
The project team members for Phase 1 include:
- Owner/Developer: Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center
- Owner’s Representative: New Atlantic Development
- Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction
- Architect: Bergmeyer
- Structural Engineer: H+O Structural Engineering
- MEP/FP Engineer: Fiskaa Engineering
- Civil Engineer: Samiotes Consultants Inc.
The project team members for Phase 2A include:
- Owner/Developer: Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center
- Owner’s Representative: New Atlantic Development
- Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction
- Architect: Utile Inc.
- Structural Engineer: RSE Associates Inc.
- MEP/FP Engineer: BLW Engineers