Governor Ivey, Nick & Terry Saban, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox Break Ground for Saban Center
New “STEM Hub for Alabama” slated to open in 2027
Governor Kay Ivey stepped into the sunshine Wednesday, August 6, 2025, to help break ground on an idea that’s felt like a dream for a good while. The Saban Center, the new “STEM Hub of Alabama,” is now officially underway in the heart of Tuscaloosa’s River District, not far from the amphitheater and the riverbank.
Surrounded by local leaders and Nick and “Miss Terry” Saban, Gov. Ivey stood right there as shovels hit the earth. She said quietly, but surely, “From day one, a top priority of my administration has been giving every child in Alabama the tools they need to succeed. I’m proud to stand with the Saban family as we invest in the next generation of Alabama leaders.” It’s a pledge she’s lived up to since the very first days of her office.
Mrs. Saban smiled, letting her words rise soft and steady: “As an educator, I have always believed that when you invest in children, you’re investing in the future. The Saban Center is a dream Nick and I have had for many years and we are so proud to see this vision finally coming to life.”
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox chimed in with pride, pointing out how the whole community is part of this dream: “Success rarely occurs in isolation … The Saban Center is a first-of-its-kind hub for education; featuring immersive STEM and arts programs … It is an honor to partner with the Saban family, the State of Alabama and all of the community partners who have made this project possible.”
The Poarch Creek Indians, standing tall as partners, pledged $5 million to the project—one of the largest gifts the venture has ever seen. Tribal Chair Stephanie A. Bryan shared, “We are proud to join with Terry and Nick Saban in providing STEM and arts education to children in Alabama through the Saban Center. This collaboration represents our shared commitment to making sure our state’s young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and are well prepared to meet the demands of the future. It is truly a legacy project that the Sabans and our Tribe are committed to its success for generations to come.”
Stakeholders and dreamers alike were gathered near the River Market after the groundbreaking, celebrating quietly with one another. The Center is slated to open its doors in 2027, and it will be a place where discovery meets art, where teachers and families can learn right alongside children.
During her 2023 State of the State address, Gov. Ivey first threw her full weight behind the project with Mrs. Saban by her side. Now, here in August 2025, the vision is no longer just words—it’s real bricks and promises set in Alabama soil.
