Sep 19, 2025 By Mike Jones 3 min read

A new event center could soon be coming to Washington County.

The county’s Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agency announced Thursday that two studies it commissioned showed a 30,000-square-foot multi-use facility that hosts concerts, conferences and other major events could attract audiences from across the region and become an economic boon for Washington County.

The organization released several renderings of what a proposed event center would look like and indicated the venue could hold up to 3,000 people for “right-sized” concerts and other community events that would otherwise bypass Washington County.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Jeff Kotula, who serves as president for the chamber and tourism agency. “We have the market, we have the studies, now we need to find the right strategic partners to help carry forward the momentum to build a signature facility that will serve Washington County for decades to come.”

The studies indicated Racetrack Road would be the “optimal location” for an event center due to its location near Route 19 and Interstates 79 and 70, and it would complement existing nearby tourist attractions along those corridors, such as the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, Tanger Outlets and the county’s fairgrounds.

Design and construction of the event center is estimated to cost about $24.1 million, according to the organization. The chamber and tourism agency said the design of the venue would offer flexibility so it could “easily transition from a live entertainment setup to large-scale meeting or conference space” in order to create multiple revenue streams.

The organization recently commissioned two studies focusing on the market analysis and economic impact of whether an event center would be viable in Washington County.

“These studies confirm what many in our community have long believed – Washington County is a prime location for a modern, multi-functional event space that will drive tourism, economic development, create jobs and enhance our quality of life,” Kotula said. With much of the initial groundwork complete, we are now eager to identify and connect with development partners who can assist in making this vision a reality and begin moving the project forward.”

With the studies showing the venue is feasible, the chamber and tourism agency said the next step will now identify “strategic partners to assist in bringing this vision to life.” It’s not clear if any potential investors or companies have been approached to build the center, or if any tax dollars would aid in its construction.

“The proposed event center will serve as a catalyst for growth and give Washington County a competitive edge in attracting larger entertainment acts, conferences, and regional gatherings,” the organization said in its press release.

No timeline was given on when the event center would open or where on Racetrack Road it would be built.