Business View Magazine | April 2020

199 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE APRIL 2020 OPEL I KA , ALABAMA which houses five full regulation soccer fields, including one championship field with two concession stands and two sets of bathrooms. It is home to the Opelika Parks and Recreation Spring and Fall Soccer programs, the Opelika Crush Soccer Team, and the Opelika City Schools soccer teams. “About six months ago, we opened a pickleball stadium at the SportsPlex,” Fuller reports. Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, and because it is played on a smaller court and uses a slower moving plastic ball with holes, pickleball can accommodate players of all ages and skill levels. Although it is easy to learn, pickleball can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. “We have 12 covered courts and it’s a smash hit; it’s the hottest sport in America,” Fuller enthuses. “We’ll be hosting tournaments there. It brings folks to Opelika; they stay in our hotels and they eat in our restaurants.” “Speaking of events, several years ago, Golf Digest Magazine did survey of all 334 metropolitan area in the United States for golf,” Fuller adds, in conclusion. “And they ranked Opelika/Auburn as Number 1 for golf; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina came in second. We have a bunch of golf courses and the crown jewel is the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika. It’s 54 holes and located near the Marriott Resort and Spa, which is big hotel and conference center. We have hosted numerous events there including the PGA Barbasol Open, the LGPA, and the NCAA Men’s Tournament. Folks who like to play golf love visiting Opelika.” All in all, Opelika, Alabama presents unparalleled opportunities for business, commercial, retail, and industrial development, as well as an exceptional quality of life. It’s truly a city on the rise. 601 AVENUE A, OPELIKA, AL 36803 | 334. 745.4861 WWW.OPELIKACHAMBER.COM PROUD SUPPORTER OF The City of Opelika, Alabama