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$30M sports complex is in the works at The Highlands

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A rendering of the indoor facility planned as part of a recreational development at The Highlands

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Rick Shrum/Observer-Reporter

A view from near the Cabela’s distribution center of the undeveloped property where a $30 million sports complex is planned at The Highlands near Triadelphia, W.Va.

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A rendering depicting outdoor athletic facilities planned as part of a recreational development at The Highlands

TRIADELPHIA, W.Va. – The formidable footprint of The Highlands, the expansive multiuse complex off Interstate 70, may be on the verge of further growth.

Ohio County is moving on a $30 million sports complex that would complement the multiple stores, restaurants, hotels, motels and other entities that seemingly stretch the width of the West Virginia panhandle. The sportsplex is planned for 10 to 15 acres of undeveloped property behind the Marquee Cinemas and well in front of Cabela’s distribution center.

County Commissioner Randy Wharton said the project likely will entail the construction of two large buildings, with a connector building between. They are expected to house six indoor basketball courts, three to four indoor soccer fields, “some health-related tenants,” training rooms, small locker rooms and “some children-type attractions.”

Two full-size outdoor fields, to accommodate multiple sports, also are planned, according to Wharton.

He explained the three commissioners received construction bids about two weeks ago, the staff is reviewing them and they may award a bid at the board’s June 12 meeting. “We hope within 30 days to be moving some earth there,” Wharton said, targeting a mid-July groundbreaking.

The main motivation behind this project is simple: financial opportunity.

Constructing a sports complex that would host youth tournaments that draw teams from outside the region in numerous sports could prove to be a financial windfall for the bounty of restaurants, hotels and other businesses in a project such as The Highlands. Youth tournaments are generally conducted on weekends, requiring overnight stays and lots of food for families. Erecting a sportsplex has worked in other areas, including Western Pennsylvania.

That could happen in Washington County. Jeff Kotula, president of the county Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agency, said in a prepared statement: “The youth sports market is certainly a growth area for tourism and one that (our agency) is actively pursuing. … The sport tourism industry is an approximately $8 billion industry nationally and Washington County has resources that make our county a desirable tournament location.”

Ohio County officials believed that was the case at The Highlands. Theirs was not a hasty decision.

“We’ve been discussing this for a long time,” said Wharton, a county commissioner since 1999. “We’re really excited because this fits so well with The Highlands.”

He emphasized, however, that this sports destination – currently unnamed – also is intended to serve local residents. “If you want to practice indoors, run sprints, practice baseball in the spring when it’s wet and cold, you can. We’re hoping local people use it as much as people coming from out of town.”

Wharton also is president of the Ohio County Redevelopment Authority, an offshoot of the commission. The authority owns, develops and manages The Highlands and its 1,000 acres – about two-thirds of which have been or are being developed. This, he said, is an ideal time for the sports complex.

“We feel The Highlands is mature enough now to sustain this. And not only are there lots of hotels, restaurants and shopping (locations), you have attractions down the road like Oglebay Park, (Wheeling Island Hotel Casino & Racetrack), The Meadows (Racetrack & Casino), and in hockey season you can see the Wheeling Nailers.”

He also touted a location within the complex – the Highlands Event Center, a 4,500-square-foot, multiuse venue with seating for 350. It is attached to Fairfield Inn.

Funding for the sportsplex project is in place, Wharton said. “It’s a mix of bonds sold and paid back by the hotel-motel tax, and cash flow and whatever funding can come from The Highlands.”

Anchored by outdoors goods giant Cabela’s and featuring more than 1 million square feet of retail space, The Highlands offers a lot. Months from now, it may be catering to – and benefiting from – the wide world of sports.

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