The FISTA Development Trust Authority has selected Oklahoma City-based Quad Construction as construction manager for its long-anticipated FISTA Youth Science Institute in Lawton, Oklahoma.
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The decision was announced Feb. 10, 2026, following a competitive selection process that included proposals from five contractors. The project represents a significant step forward in expanding science and technology education at FISTA Innovation Park, located in Central Plaza.
FISTA President and CEO Krista Ratliff said the authority evaluated proposals carefully before narrowing the field to finalists for in-depth interviews prior to making its final selection.
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 program. That local investment will be combined with a $5 million federal grant, bringing the total project funding to $20 million.
That $20 million investment represents one of the largest regional educational infrastructure efforts in recent years.
Local officials view the project as a cornerstone investment not only in education, but also in long-term economic competitiveness. The Youth Science Institute is expected to anchor additional research partnerships and industry collaborations within the innovation park.
Upon completion, the Youth Science Institute will provide hands-on instruction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for students ranging from middle school through college. The center also will offer professional development programs for teachers.
The new institute will operate alongside FISTA’s existing STEM Lab, which currently serves elementary students, creating a continuous educational pipeline from early learning through advanced technical training.
Lawton leaders emphasized that the facility will help prepare students for high-tech careers tied to the city’s growing defense and innovation sectors. FISTA Innovation Park has increasingly become a hub for collaboration between education, private industry and military partners, with the Youth Science Institute representing the next major phase of that vision.
By offering advanced robotics, coding, engineering design and dedicated research space, the facility is expected to attract regional partnerships while strengthening the local workforce pipeline. The expanded programming aims to align with evolving workforce demands in cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, aerospace technologies and defense-related research.
The project comes at a time when communities across Oklahoma are investing heavily in STEM-focused facilities to address workforce shortages in high-demand technical fields. Lawton’s proximity to Fort Sill and its established defense footprint make it uniquely positioned to leverage educational infrastructure as an economic driver.
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Officials believe the Youth Science Institute will enhance regional competitiveness by retaining local talent and attracting new employers seeking a skilled workforce. The facility is also expected to serve as a catalyst for additional private investment within FISTA Innovation Park.
If approved in April, construction could move forward shortly thereafter, with Quad Construction tasked with delivering the project within its guaranteed maximum price framework.
With funding secured and a construction manager in place, the Youth Science Institute is poised to become a central component of Lawton’s long-term education and innovation strategy.
Originally reported by Construction Equipment Guide.
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