Swinerton Celebrates Completion of Play Great Outdoor Renovation

On September 18th, Swinerton joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, community partners, supporters, and local leaders to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the completed Play Great Outdoor Complex (Play Great) in Santa Ana.

The new spaces quickly felt lived-in. Soccer balls were already crossing the turf field, small groups claimed the shaded seating areas, and a handful of visitors drifted through the garden space. It resembled an ordinary day at the club.

Beth McArdle, Project Manager at Swinerton, says that projects such as Play Great serve as a reminder that construction is really about people and the communities Swinerton serves.

“Since many of our employee-owners live and work in Orange County, it is especially meaningful for us to help build environments where young people can grow and form lasting memories. We are proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast and contribute to an environment that will serve families for years to come.”

Investing in Santa Ana’s Youth

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast serves over 15,000 youth annually through programs focused on education, wellness, leadership development, and career and college readiness. The Play Great renovation was designed and constructed to expand access to outdoor recreational infrastructure and create flexible spaces for playing, learning, and gathering, giving the club new ways to support that mission.

Renovations included:

• A multi-use turf field for flag football, soccer, and many other sports
• A 9-hole putting green experience
• Garden area with raised planting beds and in-ground growing spaces
• New concrete pad at the outdoor learning center
• Added shade structures for outdoor arts and crafts

“Working with Evan Raabe Architecture Studio (ERAS) and the Boys & Girls Clubs team on this design-build project, we focused on creating a safe, playful environment for the neighborhood boys and girls to enjoy after school and during the summer,” says McArdle. “As a mom of two small girls it brought me so much joy to help create this outdoor space for all the kids to play, learn and grow.”

Building Spaces That Strengthen Communities

For Swinerton, taking part in Play Great was a chance to back an organization that plays a vital role for youth in Orange County.

Although the renovation includes new spaces, its true impact will be judged by how people use and enjoy them day to day. The field will be used for games, practices, and other outdoor activities. The garden beds will offer hands-on learning, and the shaded gathering areas will provide comfortable spots for meals, events, and social interaction.

“Watching all of them smiling and enjoying the place that we have built, including my own children who sprinted across the renovated field, is an exciting thing,” McArdle says. “Everyone could at once see the importance this space has for the club. That is why initiatives such as this are so rewarding.”

When the celebration was over, the guests stayed around the campus while the club members kept on exploring the renovated areas. For the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, Play Great means more than adding new outdoor facilities; it gives young people the chance to stay active, build new skills, spend time with friends and take part in programs that support their development. Swinerton feels pleased to have taken part in a project that will benefit Santa Ana families for many years.