Happy Monday, Birmingham! You know the drill—we’ve got you covered with all the hottest news you might have missed from the past week. This time around, we’ve got pictures from the newly opened City Walk BHAM skate park, tons of new openings, UAB Football news and more. Keep reading to start your week right.

City Walk Skatepark is officially open! [OPENING DAY PHOTOS]

To quote Mayor Woodfin…”It’s Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 up in here!” The highly anticipated 57,000 square-foot City Walk skatepark is officially open. It’s the fifth-largest skate park in America and the largest in the Southeast, conveniently covered by the interstate to shield skaters from the hot summer sun. Check out more pics from the opening day here.

The park is managed by Action Park Alliance and was built by Newline Skateparks. First-time participants must sign a waiver before dropping in.

New dessert bar + restaurant coming to downtown Birmingham this fall

Did someone say dessert bar? Sign me up. Ampersand Cocktails and Cusine coming to town soon in September 2022 and we can’t wait to give it a try. As reported by the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ), the upscale spot is slated to open at Advenir at Station 121, located near 20 Midtown and the entrance to Rotary Trail.

The menu will be full of locally-sourced drinks, dishes and signature desserts. We can’t wait to find out more about this exciting new development.

NEW smoothie and bowl restaurant opens on 20th St. + 5 more Birmingham openings

We’re back with six exciting new openings + businesses coming soon to have on your radar. Let’s get into it.

Now open:

• Ebony Arrington Dance Studio in Woodlawn is now open with lessons in dance, performance and modeling for youth and adults.
• Moss Rock Pharmacy in Hoover is a locally owned pharmacy providing all your daily essentials, including medicine, snacks and cold drinks.
• Rush Bowls in Midtown is bringing delicious, fresh smoothies and blended fruit bowls to Birmingham.
• Birmingham Animal Hospital + Resort in downtown Birmingham is now open to provide your four-legged friends with all they need.

Coming soon:

• STRIVE is a nationwide organization that works to combat the unemployment problem through programs, classes and developmental training. Classes are slated to begin in Winter 2022.
• Circa Lighting in Homewood is coming soon with a luxurious showroom full of designer lighting + staging. Currently, there is no opening date set.

Hoover selected to host adaptive sports competition Move United Nationals in 2023 + 2024

Move United, the national leader in community-based sports and recreation for individuals with disabilities, has officially chosen the City of Hoover to host the Move United Nationals in 2023 and 2024. Move United Nationals is the largest and longest-standing national sports championship event for athletes with a physical, visual and/or intellectual disability.

The City of Hoover, Lakeshore Foundation and Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau are all part of the local organizing committee spearheading the event. More than 400 athletes with disabilities and coaches are expected to participate in the major event—jam-packed with competitions, clinics, education and social opportunities.

UAB head coach Bill Clark retiring in August

Due to health concerns, Bill Clark, who has guided the resurrection of the Blazers program in the last decade, has announced that he is retiring in August. He has been the head coach of the Blazers since 2014, leading the team to two Conference USA titles and five straight bowl games throughout his time at UAB.

“It’s time. Knowing that doesn’t make this any easier. Retiring as the UAB head coach is the hardest decision that I’ve ever had to make, but my future health and well-being depend on it have reached this difficult decision after consultation with a number of world-class medical experts and much family discussion, reflection and prayer.”

Bill Clark, Head Football Coach, UAB

Clark plans to stay right here in Birmingham and contribute to causes like the Children’s Harbor homecoming game and the CoachSafely Foundation.

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