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Happy New Year’s Greetings and Best Wishes!
Blessings and best wishes to you and your family for a very Happy New Year. 2023 has certainly been a year filled with many achievements as well as challenges for the Mobile County Commission, and 2024 promises to be a year of opportunities and hope for continued success.
As we embark on the new year, the Mobile County Commission remains strongly committed to supporting community priorities that include improving public safety, road and bridge infrastructure, environmental sustainability, parks, recreation and sporting facilities, supplementing educational resources, and economic development initiatives that provide jobs. These priorities directly affect the quality of life within Mobile County and are key components to creating and maintaining a progressive and thriving community.
Within Commission District 2, several major parks and recreational capital projects are either soon-to-be or currently under construction and some updated highlights are outlined below:
Mobile County Sportsplex – 3701 Hall’s Mill Road (includes the Soccer Complex, Aquatic Center, and future recreational development)
Soccer Complex - The three completed Phase I soccer fields at the Complex have been heavily used since the summer of 2020 for practice, games and tournament play for soccer, lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, and flag football.
Over the past 3 ½ years, the fields have experienced on-going drainage issues which have been linked to a design flaw and inadequate sub-surface soil preparation during construction. To remedy these drainage issues and still provide available playing fields, the County will bid the construction of five new temporary fields on adjacent Sportsplex property this summer along with temporary lighting and parking. Once the temporary fields are operable (in late 2024), the three current fields will temporarily close for remediation to eliminate the drainage issues.
Phase II and Phase III, which include the remaining seven fields and the Championship Field with bleachers, lockers, and restrooms, additional parking lots, and another concession/restroom building are concurrently in design with preliminary site work underway. These phases will be completed as funding is available.
Aquatic Center – Phase I of the proposed Aquatic Center is in final design and is expected to bid by the end of February, 2024 when a balance of approximately 4.5 million in funding is identified. This first phase includes a 50 meter outdoor competition pool with dive wells, and indoor instructional/warm-up pool and locker/restroom facilities. Phase I is expected to be complete within 9-12 months after construction begins. A future Phase II will follow and includes an indoor 25 yard by 25 meter short course pool.
Escatawpa Hollow Park and Campground – 15551 Moffett Road, Wilmer
Following extensive renovations, Escatawpa Hollow Park and Campground re-opened Phase 1(a) to the public for day use and RV camping this past summer. Hundreds of visitors packed the park on weekends to enjoy the Escatawpa River and park amenities. When all phases are completed, the 250 acre park will offer miles of hiking trails in addition to camping, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and recreational activities such as mountain biking, disc golf and pickleball.
Phase 1(b) of the park construction is currently being advertised for bid, with bid openings scheduled for January 24, 2024. It will include major renovation work on the existing entry log cabin to include a café/grill, a General Store, and an interpretive educational center featuring the Blackwater River system of the Escatawpa and local flora and fauna.
Semmes Senior Center Walking Trail Expansion – 9635 Moffett Road, Semmes
The Center’s initial walking and fitness trail opened this past year and has been extremely popular among Semmes’ citizens and Center members. In 2024, the County will move forward with plans designed to connect and expand the walking trail an additional 1.5 miles and include pickleball courts and picnic pavilions to the design layout. Stay tuned for more details!
I am extremely grateful to the citizens of District 2 for the opportunity to serve and represent you on the Mobile County Commission. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if I can ever provide information or be of assistance. Again, best wishes to you for a wonderful 2024!
Warmest Regards,
Connie
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