Inside Irondale’s new $8.6 million youth Ruffner sports complex
Irondale residents are set to experience the grand opening of the city’s new $8.6 million youth recreation venue, the Ruffner Sports Complex, this Saturday at 10 a.m. Located at 301 Ruffner Road, the event is free and open to the public. Tailored for youth sports, the complex boasts three turf fields, LED lighting, two playgrounds, picnic pavilions, shaded seating, a concession stand, restrooms, and ample green space.
Construction, which broke ground last April, was managed by Milam & Company, with architectural support from Goodwyn Mills Cawood and project oversight by Kemp Management Solutions. The opening festivities will kick off with a community softball game featuring city employees, accompanied by complimentary Cracker Jacks, hotdogs, hamburgers, and Coca-Cola beverages. This event marks the official start of the city’s youth sports program, which includes baseball, softball, and t-ball for children ages 4 to 12, with over 70 kids already pre-registered.
Mayor James Stewart emphasized the complex’s role in stimulating local development, citing plans for a new facility by Foxhound Bee Company and the anticipated traffic from travel ball teams. The city has a broader vision for revitalizing its venues, which includes a new municipal complex, a public library, a civic center, and more. The Tails by the Rails Dog Park opened last October, and the new library is expected to be finished by late summer. With further expansions planned, Irondale continues to build towards a more community-centric future.
Read the complete article here: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2025/02/inside-irondales-new-86-million-youth-ruffner-sports-complex.html
