Saban Center update highlights sports science, learning components of facility

An updated plan for the Saban Center brings a four-pronged science learning component to the offerings of the Children’s Hands-On Museum and Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre.

That was part of the announcement made Wednesday in a City Hall-produced video featuring University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry.

“This learning hub will draw people from across the nation to enjoy and inspire learning and to socialize in a spirit of togetherness …,” Terry Saban said. “We are proud to call Tuscaloosa our home as it continues to grow and evolve.”

Nick Saban and his wife joined Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in 2019 to announce the Saban Center, which is meant to occupy what is now The Tuscaloosa News building, converting the 100,000-square-foot complex into the new headquarters for both the Children’s Hands-On Museum and the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theater.

The Saban Center, made possible, in part, with a $1.25 million gift from the Saban family and the $8 million purchase of The Tuscaloosa News site by the City Council, will offer science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, theater, and outdoor recreation.

Under CHOM, the Saban Center now will feature a sports science center for visitors to learn about the human body, about how muscles work and the importance of conditioning, Nick Saban said.

“Children will be able to match their running speed with that of a dinosaur or world-class athlete,” Nick Saban said.

And through the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre, students will learn not only how to perform, but also produce – from staging to lighting – a theatrical performance.

“it goes without saying that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, but we also know our best leaders are those with the most well-rounded educations — an education that doesn’t just include reading, writing and arithmetic, but also discovery, science and the arts,” the mayor said. “The Saban Center will give two of Tuscaloosa’s most-loved children’s organizations – the Children’s Hands-On Museum and Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre – the opportunity to elevate their services to serve even more children and youth from Tuscaloosa and all around West Alabama.”

Initially, the Saban Center plan called for a branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library, but the estimated $31.5 million in proposed costs proved too much for library officials, and in November the library’s board of trustees voted to pull out.

But that did not slow the progression of the Saban Center vision, which is now set to feature exhibitions not only on sports science and the human body, but also Earth and sustainability, energy resources and technology, engineering and robotics.

“The Saban Center is an opportunity in Tuscaloosa to have our children ready for a technology-rich century,” Maddox said. “This means science, engineering, arts and math. This is going to give our children – our next generation – the opportunity of experiential learning, so that they’re ready for this century.”

The learning components of the center are meant to tie into parts of what makes up Tuscaloosa's local industries and history, covering sports, weather, technology, and everything from the history of power to where this area is headed with the advancement of electric vehicles, officials said.

It also will show what goes into making the world-class athletes – both physically and mentally – that are produced by Nick Saban and the University of Alabama athletics department.

“There are many trophies and championships in the game of football,” Nick Saban said, “but the most life changing achievement is getting an education – that’s the real-game changer.”

The opening of the Saban Center remains years – and millions of dollars – away, but the area that Maddox and the Sabans said is intended to be a community-oriented learning area is beginning to take shape.

Last year, the City Council awarded a a $7.36 million construction contract for the development of River District Park, which was designed to be the outdoor component of the Saban Center along the Black Warrior River between the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and Hotel Indigo.

River District Park will connect to the Saban Center via a pedestrian bridge over Jack Warner Parkway and feature open green spaces, river-viewing areas, a multi-functional plaza, a performance stage, a pavilion and lighting with a pathway connected to the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk and nearby Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.

“We believe, that in order to move forward, we must first come together,” Maddox said, “and the Saban Center will bring together people of all ages and abilities from all walks of life.”

And, when complete, the Alabama football coach said that the Saban Center will connect something more than just national championships and athletic excellence to Tuscaloosa and the Saban name.

It also will create a place where children of all ages can establish an educational foundation for lifelong success.

“I hope that our legacy in the 15 years that we’ve been here will show that in life, as well as in football, doing things the right way – being responsible and disciplined; showing respect for one another and getting an education – will give you more opportunities in life,” Nick Saban said.

Reach Jason Morton at jason.morton@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Saban Center update highlights focus on sports science, learning