The money is being moved from District 2's unnamed projects allocation in the county's 2025 Capital Improvement Plan to create the new project, identified as CIP-2025-201. Commissioners also assigned Duplantis Design Group to provide construction administration and supplemental services for Phase 3 of the Sportsplex project. The proposed fee is $461,100, leaving about $38,900 of the currently allocated project budget for the design work. The vote is the latest step in the county's multiphase expansion of the Halls Mill Road Sportsplex. In 2024, the county approved a $1.2 million purchase of 48 additional acres near the complex, citing future athletic fields, traffic needs and the possibility of a water park partnership.
County officials at the time also said they were working to add four soccer fields because of continued demand for field space.
Championship Field With 2,000-Seat Capacity Planned
The championship field project took a concrete step forward Monday when county commissioners approved a $461,100 contract with Duplantis Design Group for design and administrative services. Later this fall, the county expects to seek construction bids for the project, which is anticipated to cost more than $20 million, Commission President Connie Hudson said. "This will just add to the ability of this complex to be able to serve the needs, not only of the community, but to attract events here and allow people to come to Mobile who will travel from other areas," Hudson said.
The championship field comes as the Sportsplex prepares to add four new soccer fields, expanding the facility from three original fields (opened July 2020) to seven. The complex was envisioned as a three-phase project ultimately aiming for 10 full-sized fields anchored by a championship venue. Dany Corte, executive director of the Mobile Sports Authority, said a fully built-out complex could attract tournaments involving 50 to 100 teams at a time. "Anytime we can add to our sports facility inventory in Mobile … it just helps the whole situation in terms of not only soccer, but we also use those fields for lacrosse and, in the future, youth rugby," Corte said.
Aquatic Center Nearing Completion
The site is also home to the county's new aquatic center, an approximately $24-million project featuring an outdoor 50-meter competition pool with dive wells, an indoor instructional and warm-up pool, locker rooms, restrooms, and concession facilities. Construction is wrapping up, and the facility is expected to open late next month. "We are pushing hard for September," Hudson said.
Water Park Developer Shows Interest
Hudson also revealed that a developer has expressed interest in building a water park within the sports complex. The county purchased 48 acres for $1.2 million in 2024 to provide flexibility for future development.
"I don't think we would have been able to attract developers to come to Mobile to look at building a water park if it wasn't for the investments we already made," she said. "It builds. It's a catalyst."
Hudson said the championship field has always been part of the county’s plan for the Sportsplex, but officials rearranged the phases to bring the four additional fields online sooner, since those add playing capacity sooner. Lacrosse, flag football and ultimate frisbee have all used the complex alongside soccer, and officials expect the championship field’s stadium setup — seating for about 2,000 spectators, a press box, locker rooms, an awards plaza, restrooms, concessions and parking — to expand the types of events the county can host.
Construction could begin sometime early this fall, once the county goes through the bid process and awards a construction contract. A separate private proposal, Jubilee Park, could also add a resort, water park and indoor athletic center near the Sportsplex; county commissioners approved a nonbinding letter of intent in 2025 to continue planning for that project.
The Mobile County Commission has three members, each elected from a district. Hudson represents District 2, the district whose unnamed-projects allocation is funding the championship field.
