Saban Center “Topping Out” A Tribute To The Construction Team
A topping out ceremony is a construction tradition that has been occurring in some form or fashion for centuries as a celebration of project milestones. Traditionally, this ceremony occurs when the final structural beam is raised into place, completing the building’s frame. That is what will take place later this morning at the Saban Center construction site in downtown Tuscaloosa.
The invitation only event will be attended by namesakes Nick and Terri Saban, Mayor Maddox, members of the Tuscaloosa City Council, Stone Construction CEO Justin Drummond, and the Saban Center team. It is being hosted by Stone Construction to recognize their trade partners for the tremendous work done through the winter months in constructing the giant facility and reaching this milestone.
The Saban Center will be a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) campus located across Warner Parkway from the Mercedes Benz Amphitheater. The campus will include the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theater, "Ignite" (formerly known as the Children’s Hands-On Museum) and the Alabama STEM Hub. Once completed, the Saban Center will serve as an innovative hub for children, families and educators to help shape and develop West Alabama and the entire state.
Mayor Maddox has called the unique center a "gamechanger in education for Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, West Alabama and the entire state."
A $72 million contract for the first of its kind center was let by the City of Tuscaloosa in June of 2025. Ground was broken on the massive facility in August with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey in attendance.
The state has made a $25 million capital investment to support the project, the Band of Poarch Creek Indians donated $5 million, the Sabans have raised more than $20 million and Elevate Tuscaloosa is providing $42 million. A variety of corporate and individual sponsors have also invested in the remarkable facility.
Stillman College, Shelton State Community College, and The University of Alabama are strategic programmatic partners for the Saban Center.
While the 11:00am program is not open to the public, Tuscaloosa Thread will livestream the prceedings.
The first phase of the Saban Center is expected to open toward the end of next year.
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