Lakeshore Foundation Expansion Project Revitalizes 19-Year-Old Building, Adds Contemplative Garden + Walking Trails

Construction is complete on a $17.5-million expansion initiative at the Lakeshore Foundation Master Campus in Homewood, Alabama near Birmingham. Hoar Construction served as general contractor on the project. The Lakeshore Foundation is a non-profit organization providing opportunities for people with disabilities in Alabama and across the country to lead healthy, independent lives through physical activity, nutrition, research, advocacy and more. Lakeshore also serves as a training site for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic teams, with on-campus housing to accommodate athletes.

The Lakeshore Foundation, KPS and Hoar worked together to provide ADA-compliant facilities and equipment for both athletes and local users over the past 20 years. Hoar served as general contractor on several recent projects across the campus, consisting of:

Multi-purpose facility addition

The 21,000-square-foot expansion includes a multimedia lab, tele-consultation suites, innovation lab, video production lab, culinary/nutrition lab, clinical exercise lab, mindfulness lab, lobby, open office space, café and board room. The culinary lab includes a demonstration kitchen with adjustable-height stovetops and technology tools for nutritional and culinary education. The multimedia lab and tele-consultation suites feature flat-screen monitors and advanced audio-visual technology for staff to interact with athletes and users remotely.

Wallace gym renovation

In 2009, Lakeshore Foundation collaborated with UAB in a first-of-its-kind partnership between a major academic research university and a nonprofit serving individuals with physical disabilities. The gym renovation provided over 20,000 square feet of research space, allowing UAB/Lakeshore to lead the world in research programs in rehabilitative science.

Magnolia hall renovation

The existing 8,900-square-foot building was completely renovated to create space for The Children’s Hospital of Alabama, which now provides outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing rehabilitation services for children and young adults.

Outdoor enhancements 

To enrich the relaxing and meditative atmosphere surrounding the campus, and provide gathering spaces, several new outdoor spaces were created, including campus commons, a contemplative garden and a woodland walk.