Plans Revealed For Mobile County Aquatics Center

Commissioner Connie Hudson recently provided the initial planning document for the Mobile County Aquatics Center, prepared by Williams Blackstock Architects. The now-170-acre Mobile County Sportsplex at 3701 Halls Mill Road is a growing facility that consists of the Mobile Soccer Complex, the planned Aquatics Center and other future uses. The proposed 40,000-ft2 center is to house an indoor 25-yard by 25-meter short course competitive pool, a warm-up/instructional pool, locker rooms and restrooms, an outdoor 25-yard by 50-meter competition pool with two dive wells and parking for more than 200 vehicles. Phase I includes the outdoor pool and check-in/concessions building and the indoor instructional pool with locker rooms, restrooms and a 100-space parking lot. Phase II includes the short course indoor pool, spectator seating for 645, a lobby, offices and a concessions area. Besides offering swimming and diving practice and competition opportunities for high school and youth swim clubs, the Aquatics Center would also provide recreational swimming, water exercise, wellness/therapy classes and instructional programs. "Mobile County is about $5 million away from breaking ground on the Aquatics Center," Hudson said. “When sufficient funding is obligated and design development and construction documents are completed, Phase I construction, estimated at about $20 million, can commence.”