Finley Center
The Finley Center is a planned $680 million recreational complex to be built by the City of Hoover on a 120-acre site adjoining the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, within what came to be known as the Hoover Metropolitan Complex. The building is expected to open in 2017, with some of the recreational fields following later.
The proposal approved by the Hoover City Council in December 2015 includes a 145,000-square-foot indoor sports center with food court and performance spaces . The building could be configured to accommodate a full-size football or soccer field, nine regulation basketball courts, 12 regulation volleyball courts or 6 indoor tennis courts. It would also have a second-floor walking track, a training and rehabilitation center. The space would also be made available for trade shows of up to 300 standard-size booths, banquets for up to 2,500 diners, and other events for up to 5,000 attendees, such as high school graduations.
The indoor facility would be connected to the stadium by a covered walkway. Other outdoor facilities planned include with six regulation soccer/lacrosse fields, twelve youth soccer fields, eight baseball/softball fields with batting cages, eight youth football fields and 15 tennis courts. The outdoor areas would have LED lighting and would be complemented by a tennis pro shop, covered spectator seating, and restroom and picnic pavilions. The plan also includes a playground, two miles of walking trails and 1,700 new parking spaces.
Sports Facilities Management of Florida was hired to manage the development and operation of the center. When that company presented more detailed plans to the Hoover City Council in October 2015, they called it "The Alabama Sports and Events Center", or "The BAM" for short. Negative public reaction led to a contest for naming the facility. A council committee chose four finalists from over 550 suggestions submitted, including "Hoover Sports & Event Center", "Hoover Sports & Convention Center", "The Finley Center" and "The Finley Sports & Event Center". The shorter name was chosen to honor longtime Berry High School football coach Robert Finley who died in 1994.
The project architect is Jeffrey Brewer of Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood.
References
- Sparacino, Emily (December 21, 2015) "Hoover City Council approves sports center project funding" Shelby County Reporter
- Anderson, Jon (December 22, 2015) "Hoover City Council votes 6-1 to build $70 million Sportsplex next to Hoover Met." 280 Living
- Singleton, William C. III (October 19, 2016) "There is no 'BAM' in 'Hoover': Proposed Sports Complex Name Lands With a Thud." Over the Mountain Journal
- Anderson, Jon (October 24, 2016) "Committee chooses five finalist names for Hoover sports complex." Hoover Sun
- Steere, Tim (November 16, 2016) "Hoover picks name for $80 million sports facility." Birmingham Business Journal