Foley renovates former National Guard armory into new Activity Center
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The City of Foley has dedicated its new activity center at the site of a former National Guard armory that served the area for more than 50 years.
The building that was used as the armory from 1969 to 2023 has undergone a $1.97 million renovation to create a new community center.
Keep reading to learn more about the building + its history.
New Foley Activity Center
The new 16,000-square-foot facility is now home to:
- Classroom for recreational programs + senior citizens activities
- Climate-controlled space for museum archives
- Sensory space for special-needs programming + events
- Gymnasium space
- City departments
- Parks and Recreation
- Communications
- Leisure Services
The gym can be used for basketball and volleyball or it can be formatted into four separate pickleball courts.
The Foley Activity Center is located at 315 E. Jessamine Avenue.
Foley’s connection to the National Guard
Foley held a ceremony Thursday to recognize the National Guard troops who served while stationed at the site on Jessamine Avenue.
Local National Guard members, veterans and students in the Foley High School JROTC program were among those taking part in the event.
The city unveiled a plaque recognizing the National Guard and the Foley area residents who served their country in the 100 years since the first National Guard unit was organized in Foley in 1926.
While in use as an armory, the facility was named for Sgt. William L. Smith. Smith joined the National Guard before he graduated from Foley High School in 1948.
During the dedication ceremony, Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich presented the key to the city to Smith’s family members.
The Foley National Guard unit is now located in a larger armory near the Foley Beach Express.
