GOMESA allocations powering Daphne’s $26 million recreation and senior center project
The Daphne City Council kicked off the major overhaul of a medical facility into a recreation and senior center on Monday with the approval of an $900,000 contract for architecture work.
Mason Reed 
A major shift is coming to the Magnolia Place shopping center. For years, the site has served as the home of Infirmary Health’s Thomas Medical Center, acting as a primary healthcare hub for the Eastern Shore. Soon, however, the location will undergo a dramatic transformation into a state-of-the-art recreation and senior facility.
A $26 Million Community Vision
The Daphne City Council officially kick-started the $26 million project this Monday, awarding a $900,000 contract to Mobile-based PCDA Architecture. The move signals the city's intent to pivot the former medical hub toward community fitness and recreation.
The facility is slated to house an indoor venue dedicated to basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and pickleball. Additionally, the city’s senior center will receive a significant upgrade, moving into a larger, more modern space that includes an indoor walking track.
Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune highlighted the dire need for these municipal spaces. "Right now, we have no indoor facility," LeJeune said. "We have to borrow space from the Baldwin County School System, and that is a process. This allows us to have indoor basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, which we don’t have at the moment."
Funding and Timeline
Financial backing for the project is anchored by $8 million in GOMESA funds—the state’s allocation from Gulf of Mexico oil and gas leases. The remaining costs will be covered by a 20-year bond issue. Design and engineering are expected to span the next year, with construction breaking ground in late 2027 and a grand opening projected for 2029.
The new complex will eventually connect via boardwalk to the nearby Bayfront Park, which is currently undergoing its own GOMESA-funded renovations, including a new 2,400-seat amphitheater set to open in April 2027.
Defining the Amenities
City leadership remains intentional about not competing with existing private businesses. While the new center will feature workout equipment for seniors, the council is still determining the full list of public amenities. Troy Strunk, Daphne’s executive director of city development, noted that the addition of indoor pickleball will be a major draw, especially during the summer heat and inclement weather.
For now, the site remains an active medical facility, though it is expected to close by the end of the year as Infirmary Health shifts operations to a new campus in Malbis. As Infirmary Health spokesperson David Rogers stated, the company remains focused on bringing advanced technology and comprehensive treatment to the growing Malbis area.
