Millbrook Mayor Kelley says ‘It’s Going To Be Huge!’ Referring to the 17 Springs Project

BY SARAH STEPHENS

ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS

The Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce invited members and guests to its quarterly luncheon at the Millbrook Civic Center Thursday, and it was a sold-out event.

This was the first major event the Chamber has hosted since the arrival of Covid, and people seemed to truly enjoy the opportunity to once again visit in person.

Ingram’s Farmers Market provided the delicious lunch, and those attending got a look at updated plans for the “17 Springs” project which is already seeing progress and early construction.

If you would like to see a virtual video flyover that is a conception of the project, click the first graphic at right.

Five entities are involved in this huge project. They include the City of Millbrook, Elmore County Commission, Elmore County Economic Development Authority, Elmore County Board of Education, and the Greater Montgomery YMCA.

The work which has already gone into the project is phenomenal, Kelley said, especially the people behind the planning particularly Richie Beyer and Stuart Peters among others.

Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley and City Engineer Stuart Peters gave a very thorough update on the large facility that will bring multiple sporting fields, a gymnasium, Track and Field facility and so much more.

Mayor Kelley was excited to share the latest information with guests and explained the name behind “17 Springs.”

Around the 1960s, the property was held by the YWCO organization. There was a huge festival held every year on the grounds near where the large pond is located today at the current Grandview YMCA. There are 17 springs which feed that pond, and artists and other vendors would gather around the area selling and showing their wares.

“People came from miles around for the event, and it was incredibly popular,” Kelley said.

Kelley said many suggestions for a name for the new facility were offered.

“But something about 17 Springs just popped out to everybody,” Kelley said. “It includes the history of that area, and brings it into present day as well as the future.”

“There are many of you in the audience that were part of our announcement this past Fall for 17 Springs,” Stuart Peters said. “This is actually the Master Plan and we have done some modifications since you last saw it.”

Phase 1 has already begun on the site, which include Grandview Family YMCA existing property. The first phase could be completed in approximately one year.

Phase 1 includes Tennis courts, Pickle Ball courts, two two-story Tennis pavilions, parking, restrooms and concessions. It is referred to as the Grandview Phase because a lot of the property is already located on property owned by the Grandview YMCA.

“The next step we will work south with the multi-purpose fields, and the entranceway. There will be four multi-purpose fields. A pedestrian connection to our future field house. There will be Wifi connections and charging stations throughout,” Peters said.

There will be a maintenance facility near a multi-purpose pond, which could also be used for other activities in the future.

“We purposefully have spaced the project out, because you need spectator space, have the ability to have tents and lawn chairs. And of course, plenty of parking,” Peters said.

“The next step will be the multi-purpose fields, soccer, football and practice and events. I have heard it all. That is why we have to have a Turf field,” Peters said. “We are going to try and keep that in the budget. Everyone may see all the striping and think that is a lot to keep up with. We will have different colors for different purposes. The Turf really cuts down on the maintenance, and that is really an important part of this project.”

“Within the multi-purpose fields area we are going to have all of the amenities you need,” Peters continued. “We have made it as large as possible so you can gather. You can rest and spectate, check emails, cell phones and take pictures. We are going to do the best we can with that,” he said.

“Phase 2 is the Field House Phase. It includes the 100,000 square foot facility, indoors sporting year round, championship baseball and football fields are just part of it,” Kelley said.

“It is everything you can possibly do indoors for sporting. Volleyball, Basketball…everything. Think Cramton Bowl, except it is not in Montgomery. It is in Millbrook,” Peters said.

Peters said the City and County worked together and made strategic purchases to acquire land for 17 Springs.

“We are talking about Hwy. 14, Dismukes Road and all the way to Old Prattville Road. The city and county worked together on this. We made some purchases of property that have been unsightly for many years on Hwy. 14. We are making progress. You are going to see more action in the next few weeks and see things get cleaned up.”

Elmore County has a crew out currently now. Right of Ways have been cleared, and work continues.

“We are protecting that Hwy. 14 corridor. The areas in orange are commercial. We feel like 17 Springs will bring in commercial developments. Also, on the opposite side of the road we were able to capture significant property on that side. So we have a lot of opportunity for this property,” Peters said.

During the meeting, Grandview Family YMCA Executive Director Bill Meyer also gave an update on the status of construction on the property. We will have a full story on that as well next week.