Purchase Option for Soccer Complex on Agenda Today

Posted on: May 22nd, 2014 | News and Announcements

The Mobile County Commission will review an option at today?s 1 p.m. conference meeting to buy 200 acres at I-65 and I-10 for a tournament- and championship-level soccer complex. The agenda item is set for a formal vote at the regular commission meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Phase one of the project would include development of 10 soccer fields and a natural habitat with walking trails certified for cross country. Also in phase one are plans for a picnic and playground area, concession stand and restroom, as well as a possible splash pad. Phase two of the project would include, as funding is secured, an aquatic center for competitive swimming as well as leisure-time aquatic activities. The complex will be located on a site at the I-10 and I-65 interchange near Halls Mill Road. Eighty acres of the complex would be donated to the county by the two land owners. The remaining acreage would have to be purchased by the county during the option period at the appraised property value of $2.96 million. ?This is a very exciting opportunity for the community to meet the demand for youth soccer fields,? said Mobile County Commission President Connie Hudson, who is spearheading the project. ?It offers the added value of bringing into the county tournament teams that would provide an economic boost to the local economy.? A notice to proceed will be issued to Neel-Schaffer for an engineering study and budget proposal. A Corps of Engineers permit application also will be submitted for approval.