Regional Sports Complex Earns State Design Honor, Benefits Autauga Neighbors

Seay, Seay and Litchfield Architects presented the Alabama Council of the American Institute of Architects 2025 Large Project Excellence in Design Honorable Mention Award at the Millbrook City Council meeting on December 9, 2025. The recognition honors both architectural design and the coordinated effort of the City of Millbrook, Elmore County Economic Development Authority, Elmore County Schools, Elmore County Commission, and the YMCA of Greater Montgomery in developing the 17 Springs complex.

At the center of the project is the Fieldhouse at 17 Springs, an 85,000 square foot facility designed to accommodate competitive and community use. The Fieldhouse includes a versatile gymnasium configured for four basketball courts or eight volleyball courts, plus meeting rooms, locker rooms, administration space and concessions. The larger 17 Springs campus provides adjacent outdoor amenities including four soccer fields, twelve tennis courts, twelve pickleball courts, and four softball and little league baseball fields.

Project leaders and local officials framed the award as the result of long term planning and interagency partnership that aims to expand recreational opportunities and regional event capacity. For residents of Autauga County the complex represents increased options for youth sports, expanded practice and competition venues for area schools, and potential to attract tournaments that generate hotel and restaurant business across county lines.

Policy implications include ongoing questions about operating costs, scheduling priorities between community and competitive use, and how revenue from events will be shared among partners. The collaboration between municipal government, county entities, school systems, and the YMCA offers a governance model that can be examined for transparency and fiscal sustainability as programming ramps up.

Millbrook and regional officials will need to maintain clear public reporting on facility operations, maintenance budgets, and access policies to ensure the complex serves broad community needs. Residents should monitor upcoming schedules and public meetings to track how the facility is programmed and how benefits are distributed across the region.