Fairhope rec board urges resident-focused master plan for property at 32 and 13; council to instruct consultants

Fairhope City leaders and the Recreation Board met to refine a master plan for the city-owned property at 32 and 13 and to narrow consultant work toward facilities that primarily serve local recreation needs.

The Recreation Board’s chairman, Mike Bama, told the City Council and consultants that the board “would just like to see this property developed primarily as recreational, facilities for the benefit of our citizens, first.” He added, “We're not opposed to sports tourism. We just don't believe that the city of Fairhope is in a position to really support it economically.”

The meeting was called to complete work with consultants Victus and Gonzales on the property master plan. Mayor Jack said the final part of the consultants’ contract is to deliver that master plan and that the board and council must be aligned before the contract is closed out.

Why it matters: Board members and councilors said existing Fairhope recreation facilities are at or past capacity for many sports, and the most immediate local need identified repeatedly during the discussion was indoor basketball court space. Rec board members, coaches and staff described practices being held at churches, schools and scattered locations because available court space is limited.

Discussion and direction: Board members proposed a phased approach that would prioritize resident-serving facilities now and preserve space for potential future sports-tourism development. Suggestions for near-term elements included one or more multiuse gymnasiums (with the board noting a commonly stated target of “4 to 6” court spaces as a baseline), turf fields, walking paths, restrooms, improved parking and RV hookups for occasional tournament use. Councilman Thomas recommended starting development on the north end of the property to keep the south end—near highways and the airport—available for potential commercial or hotel uses in the future.

Several rec board members urged work on existing facilities in tandem with planning the new site, citing safety and parking shortfalls at current complexes. A staff member reported about 350 children now enrolled in the city’s pool program, underscoring pressure on indoor aquatic and court spaces.

On next steps, the council and board agreed the consultants should narrow their scope toward a phased, resident-first master plan and produce more detailed usage and cost data. Chairman Bama and the mayor will coordinate with the consultants to refine the plan and the board intends to form subcommittees to gather sport-specific needs and usage counts for the consultants to use.

No formal ordinance or budget vote was taken at the meeting. The exchange concluded with the council adjourning its portion of the meeting and allowing the Recreation Board to continue working in a workshop format.