The FISTA Development Trust Authority chose on Feb. 10, 2026, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Quad Construction as construction manager for its long-planned FISTA Youth Science Institute, swoknews.com reported.
The facility in Lawton, Okla., will expand science and technology education at the FISTA Innovation Park in Central Plaza.
FISTA President and CEO Krista Ratliff said the authority considered proposals from five contractors before narrowing it to finalists, who were interviewed in depth before the final decision, according to swoknews.com.
Ratliff said that the next step will be for Quad to set a guaranteed maximum price for the facility. At the authority's next meeting, members will likely review the budget and potentially authorize a formal notice to proceed as early as April.
The city of Lawton committed $15 million through its Capital Improvements Project Extension for the project, which will be combined with a $5 million federal grant to support the development.
That $20 million investment represents one of the largest regional educational infrastructure efforts in recent years, swoknews.com reported.
Upon completion, the Youth Science Institute will offer hands-on instruction in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for students from middle school through college, as well as professional development opportunities for teachers. The center will work in tandem with the organization's existing STEM Lab, which serves elementary students.
Lawton leaders told swoknews.com that the new facility will help prepare students for high-tech careers tied to the city's expanding defense and innovation sectors. They said FISTA Innovation Park has become a hub for collaboration between education, industry and the military, with the Youth Science Institute being that mission's next major step.
By offering advanced robotics, coding, engineering design and research space, the facility is expected to attract regional partnerships while strengthening the local workforce pipeline by offering advanced robotics, coding, engineering design and research space, swoknews.com reported.
