MBCEA Announces 2026 Building of the Year & Industry Award Winners

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (May 4, 2026) — The Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA) announced its 2026 Building of the Year winners at the 57th Annual MBCEA Conference, held April 22–24 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The overall Building of the Year award was presented to GBS Enterprises of Bel Aire, Kansas, for The Refinery Sports Complex in Garden City, Kansas. Additionally, Awards of Excellence and Merit were announced for buildings in three separate categories: commercial, community and manufacturing.

“Each year, these awards showcase the innovation, craftsmanship and commitment to quality that define our industry,” said Sasha Demyan, executive director of MBCEA. “From complex project execution to decades of leadership and service, this year’s honorees represent the very best of MBCEA and the metal building community.”

The 2026 competition included 36 entries across four categories — commercial, community, manufacturing, and agricultural — demonstrating the continued growth, diversity and innovation within the metal building systems industry. Following is a complete list of all 2026 MBCEA Building of the Year Award winners, the MBCEA members that worked on the buildings and the metal building manufacturers/suppliers.

Building of the Year

The Refinery Sports Complex — Garden City, Kansas

The Refinery Sports Complex is a 200,000-square-foot multisport and convention facility designed as a regional destination for athletics, events and community gatherings. GBS Enterprises of Bel Aire, Kansas, served as the contractor, with the building manufactured by Behlen Building Systems. The project features a massive clear-span structure assembled at grade and lifted into place, along with a complex multibuilding configuration that integrates indoor fields, courts, retail space and a convention center. The project required significant in-field coordination to merge multiple building systems into a unified structure while maintaining high performance and energy efficiency.

Commercial Category — Under 30,000 Square Feet

Award of Excellence: Jersey Meadow Golf Clubhouse — Jersey Village, Texas

Red Dot Buildings of Athens, Texas, served as both manufacturer and erector for this 9,300-square-foot clubhouse. The project blends the efficiency of a metal building system with elevated architectural detailing, including a distinctive clock tower, concealed rooftop mechanical systems and high-performance insulation that exceeds typical standards — all within a compact footprint designed to enhance the surrounding golf course experience.

Award of Merit: Premier Custom Paint & Collision — Zelienople, Pennsylvania

C. Tucker Cope & Associates, Inc. of Columbiana, Ohio, served as general contractor for this modern automotive facility, manufactured by Chief Buildings. The project combines durability with design using insulated metal panels, expansive glazing, and a thoughtfully integrated layout that supports both high-performance operations and a refined customer experience.

Commercial Category — Over 30,000 Square Feet

Award of Excellence: Mitchell Subaru — Canton, Connecticut

PDS Engineering & Construction, Inc. of Bloomfield, Connecticut, served as design-build contractor for this 32,000-square-foot dealership, manufactured by Metallic Building Systems. The project incorporates a wide range of architectural elements — including curtain walls, masonry, solar panels and a two-story showroom — while achieving Subaru Eco-Friendly certification, making it one of a limited number of certified dealerships nationwide.

Award of Merit: Ring Power Facility — Leesburg, Florida

Steel Worx Solutions LLC of Groveland, Florida, served as design-build contractor for this 77,000-square-foot facility, manufactured by Kirby Building Systems. Built to withstand Florida’s demanding environmental conditions, the project includes advanced roofing systems, engineered curb solutions, and high-performance insulation designed to meet strict hurricane and weather-resistance standards.

Community Category

Award of Excellence: St. Vrain Sanitation District Administration & Maintenance Buildings — Frederick, Colorado

Baker Steel Erectors of Frederick, Colorado, served as erector for this three-building campus, manufactured by Alliance Steel Buildings. The project features distinct yet interconnected structures with complex rooflines, extended overhangs and integrated architectural materials, designed to support growing regional infrastructure needs while maintaining a strong civic presence.

Award of Merit: Trinity Presbyterian Church — Owasso, Oklahoma

Metal Building Industries of Tulsa, Oklahoma, served as erector for this worship facility, manufactured by Metal Building Industries. The project combines structural ingenuity with architectural expression, including vaulted rooflines, full-height stone walls, and phased construction that allowed the expansion of the original vision into a fully realized community landmark.

Manufacturing Category

Award of Excellence: IMC Metals America Upcast — Shelby, North Carolina

Hoke Enterprises Inc. of Grover, North Carolina, served as the general contractor for this 120,000-square-foot copper processing facility, manufactured by Schulte Building Systems. The project required precise coordination within a constrained site adjacent to active operations and included complex structural systems and crane integration — all completed with an exceptional safety record.

Award of Merit: Nucor Towers and Structures — West Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Kaiser-Martin Group Inc., of Temple, Pennsylvania, served as general contractor for this multibuilding manufacturing expansion utilizing systems from Nucor Building Systems and Metl-Span. The project involved constructing new facilities over and around existing operational infrastructure, requiring phased scheduling and advanced coordination to maintain uninterrupted production.

Entries were evaluated by an independent panel of industry professionals using a standardized scoring system. Each project was judged across five key criteria: aesthetics, interesting features, quality and safety, complexity, and green building elements, with scores determining category winners and the overall Building of the Year.

In addition to the Building of the Year Awards, MBCEA also inducted the following individuals into its prestigious Pioneers Club and presented the Robert & Beverly Ketenbrink “Oil Can” Service Award.

Pioneers Club Inductees

• Steve Herrman, S & H Construction Co., Inc. of Oak Grove, Missouri
• Barry Daigle, BB Gunn Contracting Limited of Linwood, Ontario
• Randy Haefli, Component Construction Company of Fort Worth, Texas

Each inductee has demonstrated decades of leadership, craftsmanship, and commitment to advancing the metal building industry.

The Robert & Beverly Ketenbrink Service Award was presented to Joseph Allen of Thomas Phoenix International in recognition of his outstanding service and dedication to both MBCEA and the industry.

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