05-06-2025
Saban Center to break ground in July
TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) – Local educators are helping create the educational curriculum at the Saban Center.
The Saban Center is a one-of-its-kind STEM center that is considered a legacy project for former University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry Saban. The center is being built across from the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater where the Tuscaloosa News building once stood.
As of Wednesday, demolition is over, and crews are getting the groundwork ready for the Saban Center.
'We're so thrilled to be at this point in the project,' said Audrey Buck, director of the Saban Center. 'To know that we're going to break ground this summer is just unbelievable.'
According to Buck, the Saban Center plans to break ground in July and open its doors to the public in 2027.
'It's a wonderful asset for our community,' Buck said. 'The idea is to get kids excited and have that spark for STEM.'
Immersive learning experiences for the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math will be designed for school grades k-12. Tuscaloosa City School teachers are helping craft those lesson plans.
'The agreement that our board approved with the Saban center is for team members with the Tuscaloosa City Schools to work hand in hand,' Tuscaloosa City School Superintendent Mike Daria said.
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TCSBOE approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the Saban Center during a board meeting Tuesday night. The MOA states the Saban Center Foundation 'will provide $288,291.00 to TCBE for assigned TCBE employee exchange to the Saban Center.'
Those funds will be given to TCS on a quarterly basis starting July 1.
Buck said two TCS teachers are working full-time with the Saban Center, while a team of around 20 other TCS teachers are helping craft the design and lesson plans.
'It is through this partnership that we are co-developing the programming at the Saban Center,' Daria said.
While the MOA was recently signed, TCS has been a partner since inception of the Saban Center.
'Dr. Daria has been on the project with us really from the very beginning,' Buck said. 'He really believed in the Saban Center and what it could do for the teachers of Tuscaloosa and our surrounding areas.'
Besides igniting a love of learning, an interest in STEM and providing educational resources outside of a traditional classroom setting, the Saban Center plans to work in tandem with what students are learning in their schools.
'The Saban Center in concept is going to be an extension of every single one of our school campuses,' Daria said.
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