After following proper protocol, Bridgeport City Council will meet Tues., Dec. 18 for a public hearing regarding financing of the city’s forthcoming sports and recreation complex.

 

Leading up to Tuesday’s hearing, Council unanimously passed two readings – on Nov. 27 and Dec. 6 - of an ordinance authorizing the bond purchase. As is required, Council also secured legal advertising stating a 10-day public notice before the Dec. 18 hearing, which gives individuals an opportunity to voice any concerns regarding the financing.

 

“We’ll open the meeting and allow for the public hearing and give 15 to 20 minutes to make sure no one has anything they want to say and – if there is nothing of great concern – we will move forward to close the loan,” said Mayor Andy Lang.

 

Appointed Council representatives will thereafter sign documentation for the purchase of bonds through WesBanco Bank, Inc. providing up to $41 million in financing and funded through the 1 percent sales tax that went into effect July 1, 2016.

 

Lang said he is pleased to be finalizing documentation to finance the complex, which will be located near the current outdoor recreation complex, just off Route 131 and accessible via Forrester Boulevard.

 

“I’m very happy with the terms we got for the funding and very happy, in fact, that we are still right on schedule,” he said. “When I became mayor, Richard Forren (project architect, Omni Associates) was already hired and the goal was to put the project out to bid during the first quarter of 2019 and we are right on track. Financing needed to be in place and, just like the dirt work, it will be done. We didn’t mix that in with other contracts so that the bid would not be held up on dirt work. That is 99 percent complete and will put to bed this winter and ready for construction.”

 

Construction bids will be solicited in the spring of 2019 with a targeted completion of October 2020. The facility will include a natatorium with two swimming pools, a half dozen each basketball and volleyball courts, indoor running track and fitness center, among other amenities. Lang said it will be a great asset not only to the Bridgeport community, but also to the entire area, Lang said.

 

“There’s no doubt about it. Sports are a big part of our lives in Bridgeport and surrounding areas,” he said. “This is about quality of life, keeping and attracting young people to stay here to work and to bring in new business.”

 

It’s part of creating an appealing package, which also includes many other amenities and services – including, but not limited to, the outdoor recreation complex, the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center in Clarksburg and North Central West Virginia Airport’s daily flights to Dulles and Chicago, Lang said.

 

Tuesday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Bridgeport City Hall. On Wednesday, financing paperwork will be finalized.

 

Editor's Note: Picured is Bridgeport City Council during recent work sessions discussing the bond purchase. Seen top left is Councilman Jeff Smell, Rob Steptoe of Crews & Associates, Councilman John Wilson, Recorder Hank Murray and Councilman Dustin Vincent. Top right is Omni Project Architect Richard Forren, Cam Siegrist of Bowles Rice LLP and Councilman Bob Greer. Pictured left is Mayor Andy Lang.