BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
MILLBROOK, AL – The Fields at 17 Springs have truly become the similar to a Field of Dreams. If you build it, they will come.
Expect to see a lot of extra people this weekend, as the 17 Springs Facility in Millbrook will be filled with Pickle Ball competitors from across the state for the Dinklebells Pickle Ball Tournament.
It is all part of a fundraiser for the Alabama State Games, and in collaboration with the Greater Montgomery YMCA, initially organizers were hoping to have enough teams to just cover expenses. But their low expectations rose exponentially as around 134 teams will be competing throughout the weekend in multiple categories. Games begin Friday afternoon and will continue through Sunday. Attendees will be staying at local hotels, eating at local restaurants, and shopping in local businesses. Be sure to welcome them to town!
Since the opening of Phase 1 of 17 Springs in Millbrook, interest and opportunities have continued to expand. Local, county and state officials have repeatedly said they are constantly asked from people inside and outside of Alabama about potential for future endeavors. 17 Springs has put Millbrook on the map and promises to make Millbrook and Elmore County a destination point for people.
“This is no doubt one of the best decisions we have ever made, and it would not be possible without huge community support, but especially our partners,” Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley said.
Those partners are the Greater Montgomery YMCA including Grandview Family YMCA of Millbrook, the Elmore County Economic Development Association, Elmore County Commission, Autauga County School system, and, of course, the City of Millbrook.
What was once called a fantasy by doubters has become reality, as Phase II is set to open next year. Phase I, which included the Pickle Ball Courts, brought thousands of people from across the state to Millbrook in the past year. Once the entire facility is up and running, there will be few other facilities in the entire state that can compare, Mayor Kelley said.
Phase II, currently under construction, will feature an enormous Field House, football stadium, and numerous competition level softball fields, among other possibilities. The field house will be a multi-purpose building, capable of hosting large crowds, multiple sports and even live concerts, Kelley said.
The development has spurred on tremendous interest from new restaurants, hotels and other businesses that want to be located in close proximity. The Marketplace of 17 Springs is still in development, but will feature easy access to the 17 Springs facility, with plenty of hotel rooms, restaurants, shopping and entertainment opportunities on the Hwy.14 corridor through Millbrook.
For more information on 17 Springs, visit their website at https://17springs.org/
You can follow the progress of construction and see the layout of the properties as it relates to Hwy. 14 in Millbrook.
Recently athletes from Stanhope Elmore High School were invited to tour the construction area and get updates from local officials on the impact 17 Springs will have on not only them, but the community, moving forward. See a gallery of photos below on that event held last month.
