2015 year in preview: Improvements to local facilities

This past fall, the Hoover City Council approved a $146 million budget, which includes money for various sidewalk and traffic projects as well as improvements to citywide facilities including parks, sports fields, fire stations, the library and Aldridge Gardens. 

Several residents addressed the council about not enough funding for Hoover City Schools being included in the budget. The amount allotted for the school system in the budget is $2 million. Council President Jack Wright stated that when the council met with the Board of Education, Superintendent Andy Craig did not state that the system needed more funding. Wright further said that the council cannot control the decisions made by the Board of Education. 

Also this fall, the council approved bids to build new batting cages and fence padding at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium and to repair the Hoover Recreation Center’s pool. City Executive Director Allen Pate said that two new batting cages will be built and four inches of padding will be mounted to the outer fence of the Hoover Met. Repairs will be made to the Hoover Recreation Center pool’s drainage system.