Connect Bridgeport
Ad
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Anniversaries
    • Announcements
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Calendar
    • Churches
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Directory
    • Farmer's Market
    • File Complaint
    • Greeting Cards
    • Library
    • Lost And Found
    • Obituaries
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Sponsorships
  • Trading Post
    • For Sale
    • Local Deals
    • Services
    • Yard Sales
  • Visitors
  • Relocation
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Alumni
Ad

Council, Public Take Virtual Tour of City's Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex

By Julie Perine on March 25, 2019

It was standing room only Monday night at Bridgeport Conference Center as City Council held its second meeting for the month of March. The meeting was held at the facility to accommodate the large crowd expected to attend.
 
The first item of business on the lengthy agenda was a virtual tour of the city’s new Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex. The presentation was provided by Richard Forren, senior architect of Omni Associates, designer of the complex which is expected to be completed in late-fall of 2020.
 
The 150,000-square-foot facility includes a 42,000-square-foot gymnasium with six basketball courts and six volleyball courts; that area alone bigger than Huntington's Big Sandy Arena, the largest facility in the state. The gym area will be equipped with portable bleachers.
 
“The whole thing about this design is it is flexible because of the number of different activities,” Forren said.
 
A natatorium with two pools and permanent seating, a 40,000-square-foot turf area, running track, group fitness areas and gym with treadmills, ellipticals and other equipment, a climbing wall, locker rooms, offices and a café are some of the other amenities.
 
Though not part of the immediate project - which be put out to bid next month - the building will eventually be surrounded by additional outdoor fields.
 
“The city had enough forethought to work with Genesis Partners and purchase enough land and move enough dirt to expand,” said Mayor Andy Lang. “But that might be years down the road.”
 
When completed, the estimated $55 million project will likely employ 12 full-time and 35 to 40 part-time individuals.
 
“I do believe this facility will set the backdrop for our area – not just Bridgeport – but North Central West Virginia,” Lang said. “For years to come, this facility is really going to do that for us.”
 
Council member Dustin Vincent provided some background on the facility – which has been in the talking phase for decades.
 
“I’ve been on Council for six years and we started about five years ago on this process,” he said. “We did a feasibility study, interviewed focus groups – people with soccer, basketball, wrestling, swimming, etc. and talked about what people would like to see here in the city.”
The video shown at Monday night’s meeting is extremely representative of the design that is being put out for bid and the architects did a fantastic job, Vincent said.
 
He reiterated the fact that the facility has much potential beyond the amenities already included in the project.
 
Council member John Wilson said one of the main goals in the whole process was to make sure the facility was multi-generational – accommodating youth through seniors.
 
“We wanted to make sure it was very inclusive from the pool design to sports,” he said. “And another thing to be emphasized is that, yes, this is in Bridgeport, but a facility like this reaches out to all of central West Virginia.”
 
Read additional coverage of Monday's meeting HERE.
 
Take the virtual video tour HERE.
 

Share


Sign up/stay connected

Create your profile to start adding photos, posting comments, and more.

SIGN UP

Ad
Ad
Ad

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: After a COVID Hiatus, th...

    With all due respect to the great athletic programs and games at Bridgeport High School, prior to COVID-19 there was n...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Time Travel: A Once Vibrant Main Street ...

    If this looks familiar, it should. You can still see this structure on Main Street that for many years was home to Th...

    Posted by Dick Duez

  • Photo

    It's Happening: Playground Priorities

    I have great memories of playing on the playground at the old All Saints Catholic School parking lot. I grew up just n...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: He Impacted Countless Lives ...

    I may have the dates wrong, but it seemed to be the fall of 1995 and I was working – for the first time –...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: A Recap of Easter Sunday,...

    Just a short recap on Easter Sunday.  I did get to attend mass at my church on Easter and Palm Sunday.  It w...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

  • Photo

    Off the Shelf: Time Nears to Re-Open You...

    If there is one thing we have all learned during this last year under coronavirus is: nothing is certain.  I am point...

    Posted by Sharon Saye

  • Photo

    Outside the Tribe: A Carpenter's Best To...

    When someone close to you passes away, there is a balancing act between grief and reflection.   I’ve do...

    Posted by Chris Johnson

  • Photo

    City Faces in Different Places

    Today's Bridgeport City Face is often seen on foot around town. And it's likely you've heard his music, too. Meet John...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    Healthy Faces: Meet Jennifer Blair

      "Healthy Bridgeport" is comprised of health-concious individuals; the same group tha...

    Posted by Julie Perine

Calendar [ view all ]

Wed
28

DigiMarCon At Home 2021 - Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference

May
26

DigiMarCon South 2021 - Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference & Exhibition

Jul
21

DigiMarCon America 2021 - Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference

 

What Element of the Holly Ball is Most Important to You?

Live Band
Dancing
Dinner Included
Mingling with Each Other
Formal Dress
Informal Dress
Fundraising Aspect
Lower Cost
Online Auction
Live (Silent) Auction



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.