CULLMAN, Ala. – The city of Cullman is gaining a new state-of-the-art complex that it says promises growth in sports tourism, local recreation and events. The grand opening of the new OmniPlex Sports and Civic Center is quickly approaching, with the first tournament set for April 4-6, and public access coming a month or two later, in time for the summer months.
The sale of the old Cullman Civic Center to Desperation Church in 2019 set the wheels in motion for the OmniPlex. City leaders saw Cullman growing into a hub for sports tourism, and said the need to support and house both community and sports events was increasing. Mayor Woody Jacobs acknowledged the city has outgrown its current facilities, stating, “We’ve turned into a kind of sports tourism town, and we knew we needed more than just a couple of basketball courts.”
The OmniPlex will offer many new features and amenities the community hasn’t had before. There will be an indoor recreation space able to host all kinds of sports, including basketball, pickleball, volleyball, cheer, dance, cornhole and indoor archery.
Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Executive Director Nathan Anderson said the OmniPlex will benefit local families with children in sports. “Our kids right now are traveling to Huntsville and Birmingham just for weekly practices,” he explained. “Now, those travel teams can get gym time here in Cullman, keeping families close to home.”
Outside of sports, the OmniPlex will offer more arts programming space and more capacity for summer camps. Conference rooms will be available for local businesses and nonprofit organizations. This includes seven small meeting rooms and larger conference rooms for any event, from board meetings to mass gatherings. The City said the facility was designed with flexibility in mind. Dividing curtains and carpet tiles will allow people to use the athletic spaces for more formal events like church gatherings, fundraisers and other large events.
The OmniPlex is expected to have a tremendous impact on the local economy. More than 50 tournaments and events, such as volleyball tournaments, cheer and dance competitions and expos like gun and knife shows and home and garden showcases are already scheduled for the first year. Said Anderson, “The first year alone, we’re looking at a direct economic impact in excess of $30 or 40 million.”
City leaders said the people of Cullman played a significant role in the inspiration of the OmniPlex. Local leaders met with coaches, program participants and families to get opinions on things that could be improved. They expect the biggest advantage for local sports families. “Parents are so happy because now, instead of traveling to Knoxville or Chattanooga, they can stay here and still compete at a high level,” said Jacobs.
The OmniPlex is located at the site of the former Marvin’s store on Main Avenue Southwest. It will connect Heritage Park to the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center, Field of Miracles and Ingle Park, creating a multifacility recreational corridor in southwest Cullman.
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