The Foley Sports Tourism Complex, in Foley Alabama, announced the first sporting event that will be held at the new Foley Event Center will be the Bounders Beach Bash gymnastics meet, Sept. 8-10.
The city of Foley broke ground on the $16.2 million, 90,000-square-foot event center in June of 2016, and the new property can accommodate 12 volleyball courts, 12 pickleball courts and six basketball courts. It was built as part of the Foley Sports Tourism Complex to accompany the site’s 16 state-of-the-art sports fields already in use.
The Bounders Beach Bash meet, held in partnership with the Bama Bounders gym out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is estimated to draw 3,000 participants and spectators from across the region.
“The Beach Bash has seen so much growth over the last few years, we were outgrowing the space we were in,” said Bama Bounders owner Erin Kightlinger. “We are excited about the amusement park at the neighboring OWA complex. We have a great existing relationship with Foley’s Executive Director Don Staley, and there’s tons of space in the new building so we can continue to grow the event.”
With all the multi-use space the Event Center has to offer, Staley said this is just the beginning of big things to come.
“We are looking at bringing in everything from RV shows, to graduations, to basketball competitions,” Staley said. “But we are lucky to have the Bounders Beach Bash as the inaugural event because it will bring a large number of visitors to Foley, and also draw local spectators. We hope to use this new building to not only bring tourism dollars to the area but to also bring in events our community can enjoy.”
Those hoping to compete in the Bounders Beach Bash can register until Aug. 11 at www.boundersbeachbash.com. Registration is open to levels 1-10, Xcel gymnasts.
