City of Gulf Shores Newsletter - June 2022 |
|
|
Hurricane Preparedness Expo Set for Thursday, June 23, in Gulf Shores
The City of Gulf Shores is hosting its annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Thursday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center. This free event offers the public an opportunity to educate themselves on hurricane preparedness and the many products and services available before, during, and after a storm.
|
|
Funding Agreement Finalized for the Construction of the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability |
At the May 23 City Council Meeting, Gulf Shores City Council voted to accept, award and a execute Sub-Recipient Grant Agreement with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ACDNR) for the construction phase of the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability.
The Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability is a world-class ecotourism and experiential learning facility that will utilize a curriculum focused on beach ecology, environmental conservation, and sustainability in nature and communities. The facility will include educational classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, organic gardens and greenhouses, learning laboratories, interactive sustainability infrastructure, team-building areas, accessible trails and pathways, and more.
Funding for the project was awarded through the RESTORE Act as part of the Deepwater Horizon Response & Restoration efforts. A bid opening for the construction of the Eco Center facility will take place this summer, with construction estimated to begin in early fall.
|
Twelve New Outdoor Pickleball Courts to be Constructed at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex |
The City of Gulf Shores will be adding 12 new outdoor, lighted pickleball courts at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. These courts will be located on the east side of Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium and share the parking lot with the Varsity Baseball Field. Currently, pickleball players have been utilizing the gymnasium at the Cultural Center and the outdoor basketball courts for play, limiting court availability. With the addition of these new courts, residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to play on certified pickleball courts year-round.
Funding for the new courts will be split 50/50 by the City of Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. As the growth of pickleball continues, these courts will also provide sports tourism opportunities through possible tournaments and league play, further supporting the sport’s popularity.
|
2022 Streets Resurfacing Project |
At the April 25 City Council Meeting, the 2022 Streets Resurfacing project contract was awarded to the lowest conforming bidder H.O. Weaver & Sons, Inc. This project includes the resurfacing of several streets and other miscellaneous street repairs as needed in various locations throughout the City of Gulf Shores.
The contractor is scheduled to begin the streets resurfacing in mid-June and complete the work within 90 days.
Anticipated Streets to be Resurfaced in 2022:
- St Andrews Drive East
- Pinehurst Drive
- Pinehurst Circle
- Lyman Blvd
- Millhouse Road
- Beatrice Road
- Treasure Oaks Court
- Millhouse Court
- Coast Oaks Court
If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about street resurfacing or maintenance, please reach out to the City Engineering Department at (251) 968-6583.
|
Gulf Shores City Schools STEAM Collaborative Learning Center Update |
Construction on the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Collaborative Learning Center at Gulf Shores Elementary School is coming along nicely!
The new center will create the needed capacity to accommodate enrollment growth and introduce a 21st Century Learning environment, which aims to provide a student-centered, experienced-based learning atmosphere by integrating low- and high-tech teaching styles into the educational philosophy. In addition, the center will feature six new flexible classrooms, two STEAM labs, break-out spaces, and outdoor learning areas, with every space utilized for learning purposes.
“Every single detail in the creation of the STEAM Collaborative Learning Center was intentionally designed to provide a unique and innovative learning environment for our students,” said Gulf Shores Superintendent Matt Akin. “We are thrilled to be able to provide these resources to our students at the start of their educational journey, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of our Mayor and City Council to better our schools.”
Construction of the center has been managed by the City of Gulf Shores Public Works Department and will be completed by the end of summer and ready for students this coming school year.
|
Music at Meyer Park Summer Series |
We are excited to announce the lineup for our 2022 Summer Music at Meyer Park concert series. These FREE concerts begin at 6 p.m. and take place at Meyer Park in Gulf Shores – 400 E 22nd Ave.
2022 Summer Music at Meyer Park Lineup:
- June 16 - Johnny Hayes
- July 21 - John Hart
- August 18 - Wes Loper
The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will be onsite at each event selling beverages for all ages to enjoy, and food trucks will be onsite for those wishing to purchase food.
|
2022 Summer Reading Program: Ocean of Possibilities |
The Gulf Shores Public Library is kicking off their 2022 Summer Reading Program: Ocean of Possibilities on June 10 at 10:30 a.m.! These FREE programs will be held at the Adult Activity Center (260 Clubhouse Drive). All ages are welcome to attend!
2022 Summer Reading Program schedule of events:
- June 10 - Kick-off event Wink Unicyclist/Juggler
- June 17 - I Believe in Magic Magician
- June 24 - Cowboy Bruce "All Together Now" Wild West Show
- July 1 - Freedom Ranch Birds of Prey
For more information, call the library at (251) 968-1176.
|
The City of Gulf Shores is hosting a Special Recycling Drive from June 13 - 30.
During this time, the public can drop off items that are not normally accepted at the Drop Off Recycling Center, such as paint, light bulbs and electronics.
The Drop Off Recycling Center is located in Gulf Shores at 160 W. 36th Avenue.
|
Youth Fall Sports Registration Now open |
Fall youth sports season is right around the corner, and we can't wait to see all of our favorite athletes back on the fields!
Registration is now open online through July 15 for youth football, cheerleading and soccer.
|
Temporary Road Closure in Gulf State Park - June 7-8 |
Culvert and infrastructure repair on State Park Road (formerly known as Hwy. 135) is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, and last through Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Culverts on this road have begun to fail, causing deep potholes to reappear regularly. The Gulf State Park's goal is to replace the culverts to alleviate further damage to the road surface and make the ride through the park a more enjoyable experience.
Barricades will be placed at two locations – State Park Road (west of Woodside Restaurant) and east of the entrance to State Park Headquarters. As an alternate route to using State Park Road, please take Highway 59 to East Beach Blvd. during the closure. Visitors will still be able to visit Woodside Restaurant by entering State Park Road from the south entrance off Beach Highway. To visit State Park Headquarters, guests should enter the park on State Park Road west off Highway 180.
For more information, please contact the Gulf State Park at (251) 948-7275.
|
|
June 16 | 6 p.m.
Meyer Park
June 23 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Erie H. Meyer Civic Center
June 13 - 30
160 W 36th Avenue
Every Monday | 4 p.m.
City Council Chambers
June 28 | 4 p.m.
City Council Chambers
all City events & programs
|
Do you have a current Hurricane Decal?
Hurricane Season is upon us, and it is crucial that each City of Gulf Shores residents has a current hurricane decal. In the event of an emergency where areas of Gulf Shores are evacuated, these decals serve to identify those who should be allowed into a restricted area(s) at the appropriate time.
For more information on how to obtain a Hurricane Decal, click here.
|
Thank you Gulf Shores Beach Rescue and ALEA!
We would like to thank Gulf Shores Beach Rescue and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for working hard to keep our residents and guests safe at the beach during Memorial Day Weekend.
ALEA partnered with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fire Departments to utilize a helicopter to conduct beach safety flights over the Gulf. ALEA Aviation received and responded to seven calls for service in which Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Lifeguards were deployed from the aircraft. During their deployments, a total of 16 distressed swimmers were rescued.
We are excited to partner with ALEA again during future busy holiday weekends, such as July 4 and Labor Day weekends.
|
S'mores on the Shore
We had a great time kicking off summer at our S'mores on the Shore event! Thank you to all of our residents who came out to participate and to our Special Events team for putting on an excellent event!
|
Gulf Coast Warmup Tournament
Congratulations to all of the all-star youth baseball and softball teams that represented Gulf Shores this past weekend in the Warmup Tournaments in Daphne and Grand Bay!
Also, an extra special congratulations to our 10U baseball team for winning the championship!
|
Welcome, Juan Cruz Soria, as our new Head Tennis Professional!
We are excited to welcome Juan Cruz Soria to our team as the new Head Tennis Professional!
Book a private lesson or clinical today by contacting the George C. Meyer Tennis Center front desk at 251-968-1431.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
