The Gulf Shores City Council will consider three agenda items on a proposed $8.2 million, multi-sport facility at the city’s Sportsplex.

First up is a public hearing to consider an ordinance turning 6.2 acres over to the Parks and Recreation Department with the intent of having bonds issued to build the center. 

“The Public Park and Recreation Board will acquire the property from the city, develop, construct and equip an approximately 40,000 square foot indoor/outdoor multisport facility through the issuance of the Board’s Lease Revenue Bonds in the amount of $8,265,000,” an item on the agenda states.

The new facility, once completed, will be leased by the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Center to volleyball enthusiasts Shawn Weaver and Eddie Henry.

“The Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Center’s (AGCSC) mission is to create an opportune environment for youth athletic development in a safe and open-air environment,” an item on the agenda states. “AGCSC will provide our community with everything necessary to develop our youth to their full potential, socially, physically and mentally. They will use sports and fitness as a tool to teach and inspire leadership, success, and show how to give back to our community.”

Included in the plans for the center are promotion of youth sports and educational opportunities for training, camps and clinics, league play, tournament play and as a practice facility for these activities. Other benefits include:

• Emphasis on off-season sports tourism events unable to be served by Gulf Shores without a large indoor facility 
• Enhanced tax revenue during off-peak and peak seasons 
• Expanded year-round activity at Sportsplex allowing for better utilization of a public asset 
• Access to training and events locally without residents having to travel away from Gulf Shores to attend 
• Resident discounts for services and facility usage 
• School partnership to advance local district athletes’ performance
• On-site food and beverage options providing service to an area of the City deficient in such services 
• Advancement and growth of beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, basketball, pickleball, wrestling, cheer, baseball, softball, and dance through indoor athletic space 
• Provide a programmed workout facility in close proximity to many residents 
• Large indoor space for non-sporting civic events, i.e. graduation, trade shows, conferences, church retreats, etc. 
• Shared parking for Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium and pickleball courts