Gadsden details bonded GAC Athletic Center: pool, eight gyms and resident discounts

Mayor Craig Ford provided additional detail on the GAC Athletic Center (GAC), a centerpiece of the bond-funded capital program. "The biggest one on here that I see is the GAC and Athletic Center," he said, noting part of the project has already been bid.

Ford described key features: "It's gonna be an indoor swimming pool with a vortex pool to the side... it'll have some youth recreational activity stuff in the pool similar to Albertville, and then it's gonna have 8 gyms. Yes, 8 gyms and which will convert into volleyball courts and it'll have a huge track going around with a huge weight room." He emphasized that management will coordinate with nearby facilities to bid for larger regional tournaments and that the center will be membership-driven with discounts for Gadsden residents.

Funding for the GAC was presented as part of the bond package the city pursued. Ford said the facility is intended to both serve local residents and attract regional events, which the administration expects will increase downtown activity. The mayor invited questions about operational models, noting the city plans to model certain management and return-on-investment aspects on nearby venues.

Next steps: Ford indicated portions have been bid and the administration will move forward with construction and management planning; no formal vote or ordinance was recorded in the mayor's minute.