The Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale opened in 2008, and has since served as a showplace for political events and an annual county fair.

But the facility was built to withstand 200 mph winds, and serve as a emergency shelter for hurricanes. And while Hurricane Erma isn't expected to slam into the Alabama Gulf Coast, the facility will finally serve as a shelter during a hurricane-related event.

The Baldwin County Commission voted Thursday to open up the Coliseum's doors for Florida residents evacuating the state ahead of Hurricane Irma's arrival on Sunday.

The Coliseum officially opens at 9 a.m. Friday for evacuees who need a place to stay.

"We are seeing folks backing up on the interstates, the hotels are full and we figured that if we have the place, we'll open it up," said Baldwin County Commission Chairman Chris Elliott.

The county will place messages on electronic interstate boards near the Alabama-Florida state line on Interstate 10 to inform motorists about the facility's availability. Evacuees will not be charged to temporarily shelter at the location.

"We'll be communicating directly to people and reaching out to hotel (operators) to let them know it's available," said Elliott.

The Coliseum has enough room to shelter up to 500 people for long-term stays, or up to 1,900 people for a shorter period of time.

Elliott said he believed it was the first time the Coliseum will be utilized for hurricane evacuees since it opened. No major hurricane has slammed into coastal Alabama since Hurricanes Katrina and Ivan more than a decade ago.