Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The partial collapse of the practice pavilion at the new Gulf Shores High School campus on January 27, 2025, has raised concerns among residents and officials alike. The structure, which was still under construction, suffered a failure early Monday morning, prompting an immediate response from contractors, engineers, and city officials. Fortunately, no workers were on-site at the time, and no injuries were reported. Rabren General Contractors, responsible for the project, is working closely with the City of Gulf Shores, engineers, and other involved parties to investigate the cause of the collapse.

This incident comes as the city makes significant investments in education and infrastructure, with the new Gulf Shores High School campus set to provide state-of-the-art facilities for students and athletes. Both the city and contractors have assured the public that the structure was designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and will undergo rigorous inspections before completion. While the investigation continues, officials remain committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of the project, emphasizing that construction will proceed as planned without delaying the overall timeline. Further updates will be provided once engineers determine the cause of the collapse and outline the next steps.

Joint Statement on the partial collapse of the practice pavilion being constructed on the new Gulf Shores High School campus January 29, 2025

From Rabren General Contractors:

Evaluations remain underway following an incident on January 27th in which a section of the partially constructed practice pavilion at the new Gulf Shores High School project collapsed. Rabren General Contractors is coordinating closely with officials from the City of Gulf Shores, Volkert, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, our subcontractors and vendors, third-party adjusters, and engineers who are actively investigating the incident. Most importantly, no one was injured, and we are thankful for the swift response of all parties involved. The immediate area around the pavilion will remain cordoned off during the investigation while work on the remainder of the project continues. The affected portion of the project will not impact our ability to complete the project on time, and we plan to remove the debris as soon as we receive approval. Rabren prioritizes the safety of our employees, subcontractors, and the public on all our projects. We are committed to maintaining the highest safety and quality standards and will implement all necessary actions based on the investigation’s findings.

From the City of Gulf Shores:

Early Monday morning, a portion of the outdoor sports practice pavilion, under construction at the new Gulf Shores High School campus, collapsed. While we are disappointed that this occurred, we are incredibly thankful that no workers were on-site at the time of the collapse and no one was injured. Ensuring the safety of the workers during construction and, ultimately, everyone who will be enjoying the new Gulf Shores High School campus is our highest priority. Currently, an independent team of structural engineers is assessing the site to determine the factors that led to the collapse. Once their investigation is complete, the City of Gulf Shores will determine the appropriate next steps based on their findings. We will provide additional information once the cause of the collapse is determined.

We understand that an incident like this raises questions and concerns about the safety of this facility. While the cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, we want to reassure the public that this facility was designed to a 174 mph wind load rating, will be constructed in strict compliance with building codes, and will be required to pass all inspections from the Alabama Department of Construction Management (ADCM). These inspections occur at critical milestones during and after construction to ensure all State Building Codes are adhered to, and the ADCM will not issue a Certificate of Occupancy for this facility or any other portion of the new Gulf Shores High School until all required inspections have been completed and passed.