The Bridge Indoor Sports Complex is weeks away from opening its doors on Forrester Boulevard, just off Route 131 and across from Bridgeport Recreation Complex. After years of anticipation, planning and construction, the state-of-the-art facility will welcome area individuals, teams, and families on June 1.

 

Members of the professional team assembled to manage The Bridge are eager and busy arranging classes, scheduling tournaments, camps and special events and preparing for concessions and birthday parties, to mention but a few responsibilities.

 

Contractors are placing the final touches on the facility, which includes 156,000 square feet of courts, turf, aquatics, fitness and more.The Bridge features one indoor turf field, six hardwood basketball courts, six volleyball courts, one competition pool, one warmup pool, fitness center and group training rooms, elevated running track, indoor climbing area, flexible meeting and event spaces, cafe and concessions.

Early bird memberships are available for purchase through June and many are already taking advantage of the savings. Learn more about The Bridge and available 

memberships HERE at thebridgewv.com.

 

Members of the public are also eager as can be seen below.

 

Several area residents have submitted comments about why they look forward to The Bridge, each of the individuals listed winning a T-shirt featuring the official logo of The Bridge. You may pick them up at the front office of Connect-Bridgeport/Greater Bridgeport CVB between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

The office is located inside Bridgeport Visitors Center at 100 Marketplace Avenue in Charles Pointe. Please use the door nearest the parking lot and enter the office to your left inside the foyer.

 

“I'm looking forward to two areas - the new pool and the indoor walking track. The walking track will be wonderful for rainy days and winter. I'm excited for the opportunity to take aquatic classes year-round. It a great way for me to exercise without killing the joints.”

 

Tabatha Hayhurst-Keith

 

**

 

“Hi! I am Mackenzie Randolph and I am looking forward to The Bridge opening for many reasons. I cannot wait to have access to all the new equipment and indoor track that is being installed. It sounds like a great place for people my age and will bring the community closer together. I am also looking forward to supporting my mom at her new job there as the Food and Beverage Manager. We are all very excited!” 

 

Mackenzie Randolph

 

**

 

“I’m looking forward the The Bridge opening for a lot of reasons:

 

First, this is pretty much my childhood dreams becoming a reality. I used to write stories for English class about the Nautatorium I would build in Bridgeport if I hit the lottery or was really wealthy: My way of giving back to the community and the sport that gave me so much! 

 

Second, as part of the original Focus Groups and countless meetings, surveys, etc. I can’t help but feel proud that I had a small part in this. I love that my friends and first ever employers at the City of Bridgeport included me and trusted me with their questions. 

 

Third, this is going to open up so many opportunities for my children and future generations to come: Opportunities we never had and could only dream of experiencing. I had the amazing experience to live somewhere, and coaching at a facility like this, with one of the best club swim teams in the county. The caliber of athletes they were putting out because they had the facility and resources supporting them was like nothing I had seen before. I can’t wait to see the quality athletes we produce now – in all sports, but especially swimming! I’m excited for the future. 

 

Finally, lap swimming. Not having to drive to the Y to do it. It’s here and it will be accessible! All the amenities will help to improve our overall quality of lives. 

 

If you build it, they will come. And it is! They will!”

 

Lauren Moore 

 

**

 

“I walk the path at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex a lot, and I’ve watched The Bridge being built from the ground up. The Bridge is an outstanding recreational complex both outside and inside. This extraordinary fitness facility looks like something one would see in a state much more prosperous than West Virginia, but Bridgeport made it happen! I’ve purchased my membership and look forward to having a nice place to walk in inclement weather. Thank you Bridgeport City Government! You are helping an old lady to stay healthy!”

 

Laura Fullen

 

**

 

“I’m looking forward to a place I can go during the winter months for exercise and for the volleyball courts that my stepdaughter can use for extra practice.”  

 

Chris Dawkins

 

**

 

“I’m looking forward to adding early morning lap swimming to my workout routine.”

 

Doug Marquette

 

**

 

“Honestly, the biggest thing is that if I’m looking forward to walking one day (and that is not an everyday occurrence), having the availability of the walking track eliminates the worry about weather. You can just plan on doing it, and having the outdoor trail there along with the elevated track at the indoor facility is fantastic.”

 

Jeff Toquinto

 

**

 

“I’m looking forward to the walking track, open swim, hopefully USAA swim team for our youth, master swim team and really looking forward to water Zumba.”

 

Debbie Mayo Stewart

 

**

“I’m looking forward to going to this place during rainy and cold seasons.”

 

Tisha Elko Lang

 

**

 

“I look forward to playing basketball with my brother and playing in a basketball league or something there… I also look forward to the running track.”

 

Keefe Kiser

 

**

 

“We are hoping for a competitive USAA swim team and fitness classes. We are so excited our 14- and 15-year-olds can participate without a parent!”

 

Diana Hadjis

 

**

 

“I look forward to walking and swimming indoors during cold seasons.”

 

Jeri Booher

 

**

 

“My grandparents are looking forward to using this facility. This is going to be great.”

 

Sharon Lynn Tomblin

 

**

 

“I have many orthopedic issues and look forward to swimming for therapy.”

 

Caroline Conley Kwiatkowski

 

**

 

“I can’t wait for the adult rec league!”

 

Elizabeth Allen Meade

 

**

 

“Our son is looking forward to basketball.”

 

Michelle Duez

 

**

 

“I’m looking forward to the swimming.”

 

Kathy Hosaflook

 

**

 

"We are ultimately looking forward to the opening of The Bridge so we can have one central place to go to for all our physical fitness needs, right here in Bridgeport. Our family is excited to see how The Bridge will make a positive impact in our boys' youth sports, our community as a whole, and most importantly our family's overall physical fitness levels.  We are truly blessed to have The Bridge right in our backyard!" 

 

John Minnocci