HUNTSVILLE — Along with the list of sports and events the renovated Joe Davis Stadium will host, you can add “emergency shelter.”

During Tuesday’s open house, severe weather hit the area prompting this Facebook message from Huntsville City FC – “Tonight’s Open House has been paused due to severe weather in the area. Please shelter in place inside the Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.”

The club also posted its shelter-in-place plan – click here.

The bad weather eventually shortened the open house but, before the storms rolled in, city and Huntsville City FC officials cut the ribbon for Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.

Mayor Tommy Battle touted “the renovated Joe” as a source of entertainment and a catalyst for economic growth.

“This is a first-class field for sporting events,” he said. “It will showcase the talent … and foster a sense of pride.

“It will be a significant venue for concerts and festivals.”

Mark Russell, executive director of the Huntsville Sports Commission, said the facility could be a linchpin to a major soccer tournament.

“On behalf of all of my colleagues in sports tourism, we want you to know this stadium will be a tremendous asset to the citizens of Huntsville,” he said. “Our vision is to have a large tournament that starts over at Merrimack, works its way to John Hunt Park, and then end up in Wicks Family Field for the championship.” 

The $29 million facility will also host lacrosse, field hockey and ultimate frisbee and will be the third venue for the city’s high school football teams – joining Milton Frank Stadium and Alabama A&M’s Louis Crews Stadium.

“With the work that’s been done here, this gives our student athletes opportunities with other stadiums to have three great venues for our students to play football on Friday nights,” said Mac Howard, athletic director of Huntsville City Schools.