It will likely be in the year 2020 when athletes of Bridgeport and the surrounding areas will utilize the city’s newest recreational facility. Some of those young athletes were on hand at tonight's Bridgeport City Council meeting as Omni Associates Senior Project Architect Richard Forren provided an overview of the 165,000-square foot facility for which ground is projected to be broken in 2019.

 

The complex will include both indoor and outdoor amenities, built upon 125 acres with ample room to build upon the facility in the future.

 

It’s a project, said Mayor Andy Lang, which has been in the works for some time and for which originally 27 acres were purchased following the April 2012 opening of the Bridgeport Recreation Complex at Charles Pointe. With additional acreage subsequently acquired, 25 acres approved just tonight for purchase from Ann’s Run Limited Liability Company and another 12.383 acres to be acquired by the city via property trade, the total tract of land is five times the size originally anticipated.

 

“This creates a footprint and the facility will have room to grow in the future as the community continues to prosper,” Lang said.

 

A one percent sales tax implemented in 2016 has been totally dedicated to the facility. Fourteen months out from the implementation of the tax, four and a half million dollars has resulted.

 

“The city of Bridgeport and the area to benefit will truly see tax dollars at work for the betterment of the public,” said Lang, singing the praises of Council and city employees for their dedication to the project. The process may seem slow, but Lang assured that those involved have been diligent in gathering good information and making rational decisions.

 

“Past and current administration and past and current Council are to be given credit,” Lang said. “Bridgeport is in a financial position that very few towns in West Virginia are in, being able to take on a project of this magnitude.”

 

The facility will not only meet recreational needs of the city, but also serve as a powerful economic driver, he said.

 

Forren said the indoor facility will include, among other amenities, six basketball courts and 12 volleyball courts.

 

The 165,000 square foot-facility on 125 acres will provide for growth, as well as parking for the new indoor/outdoor facility and overflow for the present outdoor facility, Forren said.

 

The timeline, Lang said, is for plans to be finalized in the first quarter of 2018, with groundbreaking in 2019 and the facility opening in 2020.

Also in the works is expansion of the city’s trail system, ultimately bringing together trails within the city and connecting them to the recreation amenities at Charles Pointe.

 

More than one Council member said it’s a big day for the city – and for the area.

 

The young athletes present at tonight’s Council meeting were members of Bridgeport PeeWee Red Football Team. Players and coaches were recognized this evening for winning the Mountaineer Youth Football Championship.

 

Read more about Monday night's City Council meeting, including video of Mayor Lang presenting a proclamation to the Pee Wee Red football team HERE. 

 

Access the  fly-by virtual view of the indoor/outdoor recreational facility HERE.