MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. – The Mobile County Commission awarded a $23.1 million contract to construct the new Mobile County Aquatic Center at its regular meeting on Aug. 12.

“This is an exciting milestone for aquatics in Mobile County. A facility of this caliber has been eagerly anticipated by Mobile County residents and the local swim community for nearly three decades,” said District 2 Commissioner Connie Hudson, who has spearheaded the project. “The Mobile County Aquatic Center will provide much-needed amenities for residents and serve as a significant economic asset, attracting visitors for aquatic competitions.”

Designed by Williams Blackstock Architects and awarded to Persons Services Corp., construction is expected to begin in September 2024, with completion anticipated in approximately 12 to 18 months.

This Mobile County Aquatic Center will be developed in phases.  The 40,000-square-foot facility’s Phase I will feature an outdoor 25-yard by 50-meter competition pool with two dive wells, a check-in/concessions building, an indoor warm-up/instructional pool, locker rooms, restrooms, and 176 parking spaces. Future Phase II plans include an indoor 25-yard by 25-meter competitive pool, spectator seating for 645, a lobby, offices, and additional concessions.

The Mobile County Aquatic Center will offer a range of programs including swimming and diving practice, competitive opportunities for high school, youth, and masters swim clubs and teams, recreational swimming, aquatic exercise, various instructional programs, and underwater ROV practice and competitions for robotics teams. Local first responders, including the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, police and fire departments, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard, will also utilize the facility for in-water training.

“This project will be transformative for the local aquatics community and we anticipate a surge in youth competitive swimming when the Mobile County Aquatic Center comes into operation. We’re looking forward to the opportunities it will provide for all ages and skill levels —from introducing children to water to hosting competitive meets and providing aquatics wellness programs,” said Tyler Kerns, Head Coach of the City of Mobile Swim Association (CMSA). “On behalf of the swim community, I thank the Mobile County Commission for addressing a long-standing need. Soon, everyone in Mobile County will have access to quality aquatic facilities,” he added.

Funding for the Mobile County Aquatic Center Phase I comes from various sources, with over $19 million from Mobile County capital improvement funds, Commission district funds, and federal grants, with an additional $3.5 million in contributions from the City of Mobile and the Mobile County Public School System.

Daryl Gomien, Vice-president of CMSA & Mobile Sports Authority Board Member said: “This is 30 years in the making and we’re excited that we’ll soon have a facility capable of hosting the Southeastern Championship, which brings more than 8,000 people to its host site annually. The Mobile County Aquatic Center will increase the local ability to offer instructional, recreational, wellness, competitive, and safety swimming. I believe that Mobile will look back and recognize the construction of this facility as a pivotal moment in our already rich sports history. We thank Commissioner Connie Hudson for her leadership and the Commission for its support.”

The Mobile County Aquatic Center will be built within the roughly 200-acre Mobile County Sportsplex at 3701 Hall’s Mill Road, near the intersection of I-10 and I-65. The Mobile County Sportsplex also houses the Mobile County Soccer Complex, a multi-phase project that will include 10 fields, a championship field, ample parking, and spectator facilities when completed.

Construction to extend Sportsplex Drive to Lee’s Lane is underway now. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Aquatic Center will be scheduled soon. Mobile County Commission aims to award contracts for the Soccer Complex Phase 2 in September to construct four new soccer fields and a parking lot, and Phase 2A, a new concessions/restroom building.