Why Bridgeport? A Trio of Multi-Millions Dollar Projects that Prove if You Build in Bridgeport They Will Come
By Jon Griffith on October 12, 2024 from Why Bridgeport?
Anyone who knows me even remotely most likely understands that I am not a baseball guy. I did play wiffle ball with my father and brothers as a young kid. But to my father’s dismay, I never played organized baseball.
Given that fact, it might be surprising to know that I was a Pittsburgh Pirates fan growing up in Charleston. At one time, I could easily rattle off many players’ names: Clemente (my favorite player), Hebner, Stennett, Zisk, Cash, Sanguillen, Stargell, and so many others. I saw many of them in person when they were playing AAA baseball for the Charleston Charlies at the old Watt Powell Park.
As I got older and began playing organized school sports at South Charleston Junior High, my focus shifted to track and football. I lost interest in the Pirates and baseball in general. My competitive athletic and coaching career became firmly entrenched in the worlds of Track & Field, Football, and Cross Country.
Given that history, my answer to a question about my favorite sports movies would be very predictable. Chariots of Fire, Without Limits, McFarland USA, Remember the Titans, Rudy, and The Blind Side, among others. All are incredibly inspiring stories about sports that I
love.
love.
However, there is one movie that harkens back to that sport that I left behind in my childhood. Like the others listed above, it teaches us important life lessons that transcend the world of sports.
"If you build it, he will come.” That famous line comes from the 1989 film Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner. In the film, Costner plays Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella.
One day, Ray, walking through his cornfield, hears a voice utter that memorable quote. Then he sees a vision of a baseball field and baseball legend “Shoeless" Joe Jackson standing on that field.
Believing in his vision and despite the risk, Ray plows up a significant portion of his cornfield to build a baseball field. If you haven’t seen the movie, I don’t want to spoil it for you, so I will leave it at that. It is a highly inspiring film whether you enjoy baseball or not.
The film’s moral is to believe in yourself, boldly do what others feel is impossible, and work hard to make your dreams come true. Those are lessons we all need to hear and take to heart. I can think of three great examples of people taking that message to heart here in Bridgeport. All three also happen to be sports-related.
The first was the modernization of Wayne Jamison Field. The project started in 2001 with the construction of the Track & Field venue. It was followed just a short time later by the installation of FieldTurf on the football field. Then, the construction of a new concession stand/storage building was completed shortly after.
These efforts have resulted in more than two decades of first-class events at the facility. The annual Harry Green Invitationals, many 
other track meets, high school football playoff games, IndianFest, youth football championships, Special Olympics events, 5K races, and much more have graced the site over that span. Most of these activities were and are held here because of the improved quality of the facility.
other track meets, high school football playoff games, IndianFest, youth football championships, Special Olympics events, 5K races, and much more have graced the site over that span. Most of these activities were and are held here because of the improved quality of the facility.
The upgrades to the Wayne Jamison Field would not have been possible without a group of dedicated men and women who believed in the possibility of what seemed to be a daunting and overwhelming task. With an early 2000s total price tag of over $1.5 million, some in the community were skeptical. However, the result has exceeded expectations. We built it, and the people came.
The second example is the construction of the Bridgeport Recreation Complex. Completed in the spring of 2012, the facility features four baseball fields, stands, a press box, a playground, restrooms, and a one-mile walking trail. With an approximate cost of $6.5 million in 2012 dollars, the facility brought the concept of sports tourism to Bridgeport.
Over the past 13 years, the facility has hosted countless travel tournaments at all levels of baseball and softball. While, at the same time, providing our local teams with a first-class facility to call home. The success of this venture is apparent as we have outgrown the complex and have expanded to add fields adjacent to the pinwheel, and we continue to plan for even more expansion soon.
The vision, hard work, and dedication of city leaders, city employees, and community members led to the creation of this facility. Like the projects at Wayne Jamison Field, the Bridgeport Recreation Complex became a reality despite the naysayers. We built it, and the people came.
Based on the success of that endeavor, the City of Bridgeport ventured to tackle an even larger dream. Planning for this grandiose project, located across the road from the Recreation Complex, began just a few short years later. Now known as the CityNet Center, this $50 million, 160,000-square-foot sports tourism destination is the centerpiece of the rebranded Bridge Sports Complex, which includes the original Bridgeport Recreation Complex. 
Featuring six multipurpose indoor courts, an indoor turf field, a 25-meter swimming pool, a warmup pool, a fitness center, an indoor walking track, an indoor climbing area, and team/meeting rooms, the CityNet Center was opened in 2021. This state-of-the-art facility is an unbelievable accomplishment for a town of just over 9200 residents.
Since its opening, a more than $2.5 million multipurpose turf feature field has been added behind the building, and the pinwheel baseball infields have been turfed for about $1.5 million. Construction of the new $1.5 million Inclusive Playground adjacent to the CityNet Center is underway. Simultaneously, planning for future development at the Bridge Sports Complex is ongoing.
Like the other two examples, there was plenty of debate and discussion about the project’s feasibility. There were plenty of critics as well. In the end, though, the result was the same. We built it, and the people came.
Over the past 12 months, more than 1.2 million people have walked through the doors of the CityNet Center. Total attendance for the entire Bridge Sports Complex has to be close to or over 2 million people annually.
The effect of these projects on the community is more than just providing a place to play sports or workout. They bring people into our town. People who shop at our stores, eat at our restaurants, fill up their vehicles at our gas stations, and stay at our hotels. These facilities are valuable economic drivers for our town.
Why Bridgeport? Like Ray Kinsella, the community of Bridgeport isn’t afraid to dream. Our city motto is “Opportunity Live Here,” but it could just as easily be “Dream Big.” Dreams can become a reality when executed with a clear vision, detailed planning, dedicated group effort, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
In Bridgeport, we will continue to build it because we know the people will continue to come.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the improvements at Wayne Jamison including the turf and six-lane all-weather track. Also shown are the new bleachers and scoreboard. The second photo is an aerial shot of the wagon wheel baseball complex at The Bridge, while the still relatively new Citynet Center at The Bridge is shown below.
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