By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

HOOVER – City leaders’ plans for constructing a new sports complex in Hoover moved forward, but not before eliciting a lengthy string of comments and questions from residents and council members at a Dec. 21 council meeting.

The Hoover City Council approved funding for the estimated $70 million project, along with architectural services and construction management services agreements, following nearly an hour of people approaching the microphone in the council chambers to voice support for or concerns about the project.

Jeffrey Brewer, regional president with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc., presented specs on the proposed Hoover Sportsplex in a PowerPoint presentation, including layout, building dimensions and amenities of the site, which is adjacent to the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium off Interstate 459.

Plans call for the roughly 145,000-square-foot center, on 120 acres of land, to include a multi-sport indoor event center, food court and performance center; six regulation NCAA soccer fields or lacrosse fields or 12 youth recreation synthetic soccer fields; an eight-field tournament baseball and softball complex and batting cages; eight little league football fields with recreational soccer capabilities in the outfields, and LED lighting on all fields; a 15-court tennis complex with pro shop and covered spectator seating; and pavilions, public restrooms, a playground, two miles of walking trails and 1,700 new parking spaces.

Brewer ended his presentation by saying the center “could be an incredible facility, unlike any we’ve ever seen.”

“It could really set the bar here in Hoover,” he said.

One resident who spoke during the meeting encouraged the council to postpone voting on the project and to give themselves and the residents––the taxpayers––more time to consider the expensive project.

Inverness resident Dustin Chandler echoed concerns about timing, asking for a continuance and for the council to consider the funding situation for Hoover City Schools next to the $70 million sports center.

“Really, this is about children,” Chandler said. “I feel there is a split in the community. We need to bring everybody into the discussion.”

Councilman John Greene also expressed concerns about whether the “timing is right” for the project and suggested tabling the decision to authorize funding for it.

Greene was the only councilman who voted against the resolutions for funding and architectural services.

Councilman John Lyda said he had not heard “direct opposition” to the project.

Ricky Phillips, president of Hoover’s park board, said the new complex would offer much-needed facilities for the city’s nearly 900 volunteer coaches and their athletes to practice, play games and participate in local tournaments.

“Believe me, this decision is not rushed,” Phillips said. “This right here is a godsend.”

Pate said city leaders’ discussions surrounding project plans have been ongoing for several months.

“We need to bring the entire city together,” Pate said. “Park and rec has lagged behind, and it’s time to catch up.”