CULLMAN, Ala. –The City of Cullman on Wednesday introduced plans for its new 130,000-square-foot multi-sports and events center on Field of Miracles Drive. With an estimated annual impact of $20-$23 million for Cullman and the surrounding area, the City said, the new center will increase traffic and revenue from those outside of the community.
Expected to open in 2024, the center will include eight tournament basketball courts, 16 tournament volleyball courts and a mezzanine and on-court seating capacity for more than 2,400. For concerts and conferences, the capacity will increase to 6,500. The gymnasium will be available for hosting expositions, conventions, concerts, sporting events, trade shows and charity fundraising events. An expansive catering kitchen will help make special events possible.
“This facility will serve a massive need for the local community,” said Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Executive Director Nathan Anderson. “It will draw hundreds of thousands to Cullman and have a tremendous impact on our community. The city of Cullman is growing, with the latest census showing 25% of our population under the age of 18. This facility will be a great addition to the overall plans we have for the families and youth within our community.”
Anderson expressed his gratitude to those in attendance at Wednesday’s press conference, including city council members, Mayor Woody Jacobs, young athletes and representatives from the parks board, Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, schools, hospitality industry and local restaurants. He also thanked Scott Burnett, the lead architect on the project, from CCR Architecture & Interiors.
Jacobs spoke of the leadership of Cullman’s beloved visionary Chester Freeman and how proud Freeman would be with where the parks are now. He also noted the tremendous positive impacts the new facility will have on the community.
“People will stay in our hotel rooms, they’ll eat at our restaurants and they’ll shop at the great businesses that we have in Cullman. We’re excited about it. We think it’s a positive thing for our community and our state, and we’re going to work with everyone we can to ensure it’s successful,” Jacobs said. “This new sports and events facility will have an incredible economic impact on our community. It will be great for creating jobs, helping the local economy and meeting the needs of the growing population of youth in our community.”
Many local business leaders said they are pleased with the project and the economic benefits they say it will provide their companies and the community as a whole.
Tabatha Smothers, general manager of Hampton Inn and Cullman Tourism Board member, shared, “According to the Sports Events & Tourism Association, sports tourism has an $8.4 billion direct economic impact on hotels. We appreciate that the City of Cullman continues to do what is necessary to ensure that Cullman remains a big player in youth sports tourism. We could not be more excited about this project!”
Owner of local favorite Chick-Fil-A Cullman, Randy Earnest, noted the impact as well, stating, “The size of the facility and the visitors it will bring to Cullman will also have an enormous impact on local businesses. We know this will help secure our place as a go-to for tournaments, and this will benefit local athletes and families.”
While unable to attend Wednesday due to his visit to Italy, Cullman High School Boys 6A State Championship Boys Basketball Coach Stu Studeman sent a video and said, “It is exciting to see Cullman building indoor recreational space for athletes to practice in and compete. This sports and events center will introduce our local athletes to top competition from around the country, all without having to leave Cullman.”
The addition of the sports and events center to the city’s sports and events district, which includes Heritage Park, Field of Miracles, Ingle Park, Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center, Active Adult Center and WildWater, will solidify the area as a premier destination not only in Alabama, but also in the country according to Cullman City Councilman Clint Hollingsworth, chairman of the City’s Tourism Committee.
“Nationally, there are very few places like this,” said Hollingsworth. “The opening of this facility will solidify Cullman as one of the top 20 places for youth sports destinations in the country. For many visitors, it will be not only their introduction to Cullman, but also their introduction to Alabama.”
The city’s sports and events district includes 140 acres of developed land, approximately 2,000 parking spots and miles of greenway trails to connect the parks and facilities to area hotels, restaurants and retail shopping opportunities.
Outdoors, the district will cover:
- 9 softball/baseball fields
- 5 tournament soccer fields
- 1 multipurpose field
- 1 miracle field
- 5 playgrounds
- Splash pad
- 18-hole disc golf course
- 3 outdoor basketball courts
- 4 outdoor pickleball courts
- Dog park
- 18 water slides
- Wave pool
- 2 kiddie pools
- Competition pool
- 4 splash stations
- 11 pavilions
- 7 food stands
Indoors, the following will be available:
- 10 basketball courts
- 19 volleyball courts
- Multi-purpose venue with a capacity of 6,500
- 2 fitness centers
- Indoor walking track
- 8 meeting rooms
- 4 concession stands
- Indoor pool
- Indoor vortex pool
- Indoor splash station
- Indoor hot tub
- 2 indoor saunas
For clarification on this current project from the City of Cullman opposed to the former Project X project which was killed in 2019, please visit www.cullmantribune.com/2019/06/20/updated-cullman-chamber-officially-closes-door-on-lodging-tax-for-ccboe-projects-after-superintendent-withdraws-request.
Copyright 2022 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
