Hoover, AL

Hoover Sports Complex

120 acres

The Hoover Met Complex combines a large-volume, multi-purpose, indoor facility and 120 acres of outdoor facilities to create a flexible complex that makes Hoover a premier destination for amateur sports.

The hallmark of the project is the 155,000-square-foot Finley Center whose large span metal structure is masked by well-designed exterior elements pushed to the outside of the main structure’s footprint to break up the exterior mass. These smaller volume spaces contain specific programming elements that hide the main structure and created an award-winning 2018 Best Metal Building by Metal Construction News magazine. The City of Hoover has seen enormous growth in its sports programs over the past ten (10) years and needed a new sports-focused complex to allow for growth and create new revenue streams to take advantage of sports tourism trends. The total economic impact created by the new complex is projected by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to be between $27 million and $32 million annually.

The centerpiece, Finley Center, was needed to create a flexible, large-volume, open space, that was economical, attractive, and functional. The large volume of open space can accommodate a variety of configurations using mechanisms that can be lowered from the ceiling to divide the space into 11 regulation-size basketball courts, and 16 regulation-size volleyball courts. The space can also be opened up for conference use, accommodating 2,400 persons in a seated banquet, 300 trade shows booths or seating for 5,000. The flexibility designed into the space allows multiple events to take place simultaneously day or night throughout the year.

The outdoor facilities of the Hoover Met Complex include five NCAA regulation-size soccer/football/lacrosse fields (which can be converted to 10 youth fields), five NCAA regulation-size baseball/softball fields (four with artificial turf, one with natural grass), 16 tennis courts with pro shop, a two-mile walking track, a playground, a splash pad, and a large event lawn. The existing RV park expanded from 149 to 172 spaces with full hook-ups. Additional parking provides approximately 5,000 on-site spaces.

It also includes a universal design playground, one of the largest in the Southeast, and a large splash pad with smart features to conserve water resources. Everything from the layout of the surfacing to the colors and visual vibrancy, was meant to be stimulating to the senses for any ability and any age, whether the child or the adult has a special need or mobility limitations. Supporting facilities such as the restrooms and family changing rooms are unique. The family room can accommodate a special needs parent or special needs child with an adjustable changing table that will hold 300 lbs. Without adequate facilities normally available special needs families often go home and may not get back out. This allows families a level of comfort and assurance that they have access to on-site facilities so they can stay longer. There are also three 120v bollard-mounted charging stations to mitigate battery anxiety for motorized wheelchair users and visual or hearing-impaired users whose cell phones are a primary communication tool.