Construction is underway on Alabama’s third Topgolf attraction set to open later this year, the company announced Thursday.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to be part of the city’s growing culture and excited to contribute another way for locals to have fun,” said Chris Callaway, the company’s chief development officer. “The warm welcome we received as we began construction efforts has been second to none, and we’re looking forward to enabling communities in and around Mobile to come play around.”
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The $22 million complex is under construction at the site of a former multiplex cinema at the McGowin Park Shopping Center at Interstate 65 and Government Boulevard.
The company sent a description of the Mobile venue that includes both golf and non-golf features.
The golf-related features:
- The two-level facility will feature 60 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays to ensure player comfort no matter the time of the year.
- The brand’s technology-driven, point-scoring golf games will be accessible for players of all ages.
- Topgolf’s Toptracer ball-tracking technology – which traces each ball’s flight, distance and more – allows players to participate in interactive games like Angry Birds.
- Topgolf Mobile will also feature a nine-hole mini-golf course.
The non-golf features:
- Full-service restaurant with “chef-inspired menu items, top-shelf drinks, music and year-round family-friendly programming,” according to the company.
- Private event spaces to host an assortment of occasions from business meetings to bachelor parties.
The venue is expected to create roughly 150 full- and part-time jobs. The company is also offering opportunities for future Topgolf Playmakers (otherwise known as “associates”) to grow their careers.
The project is bolstered through two separate development agreements voted on last year: The Mobile City Council and the Mobile County Commission, in separate votes in August, allocated $1.25 million each in direct incentives to back the development.
“At the City of Mobile, our team is always working to bring visitors into Mobile and provide attractions and entertainment for Mobilians to enjoy: Topgolf does both,” Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said in a statement. “We are excited the project has broken ground, and I look forward to teeing off soon.”
Connie Hudson, president of the Mobile County Commission, said in her statement that the company is bringing construction, hospitality and management jobs to the region.
Bradley Byrne, president and CEO of the Mobile Chamber – which assessed the impact of the project, and crafted the development agreement for the project – said the start of the project’s construction represents a “major milestone” for Mobile.
“We’re thrilled to see this project come to fruition and can’t wait for its expected opening later this year,” he said.
Alabama has two other Topgolf venues in Huntsville and Birmingham.
Golf simulators, similar to what are featured at Topgolf, are expected to be added to Waterville USA in Gulf Shores.
John Turberville, the entertainment venue’s general manager told the Gulf Shores City Council last month that he plans to bring the “Topgolf” attractions to Waterville, although a city spokesman said Thursday that Topgolf was not planning to build a new venue at the beaches.
Turberville’s announcement came ahead of the City Council approving his request for Waterville to sell alcoholic beverages through a retail license offered by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
Turberville did not return AL.com’s calls for comment.