By Shaun Szkolnik
For The Tribune
CENTER POINT – The City of Center Point City Council unanimously approved a resolution honoring and congratulating Chief Donnie West of the Center Point Fire District. West has served the community through the fire department since 1977 and is now retiring.
Additionally, the council unanimously approved a resolution congratulating Gene Coleman as the incoming chief for the Center Point Fire District.
The council unanimously approved a resolution for the city to accept a donated property at 2247 Center Point Parkway. This is property at the corner of what is commonly known as Civitan Park. The park, itself, was donated to the city earlier in the year.
The council was addressed by Tyrone King Jr., an executive for the Birmingham Iron, about professional football coming to the Birmingham Metro Area.
“One thing about our league, we want to be involved in the community,” King said. “Whether it is the park league, and up. We want to be involved. That is one of the reasons we are here in Center Point. So we can be involved in the community.”
According to King, the Birmingham Iron is part of the new professional football league known as the Alliance of American Football. The AAF will debut one week after the Superbowl. The league consists of eight teams and will have a 10-game, 10-week season running from February to April. There will be three Saturday games and two Sunday games, and the AAF debut will be broadcast on CBS sports network. The Iron will be playing home games at Legion Field for the first couple of seasons, but plan to transition to the new Uptown stadium once it has been completed.
“Season tickets are on sale now,” King said. “They’re affordable for all household families. Our lowest game day ticket is $15 and it can range up to $175. So, definitely affordable for every household. Again, we are looking to kick off in February on CBS.”
Mayor Tom Henderson told the council that the Christmas parade has been rescheduled and will now be taking place on Dec. 15. Lineup will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the parade will commence at 11 a.m.
In other city news, Henderson introduced Buddy Aydelette to the council. Aydelette is the new economic development specialist with the Center Point Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We are proud to have him with us,” Henderson said. “He started his work with the chamber of commerce. He’ll be working with recruiting businesses, retaining old businesses and help start up our business incubator, and a lot of other things.”
The next Center Point City Council meeting will be held on Dec. 20.