Representatives from many areas on Friday turned the first dirt on the site of Williamsburg’s future indoor sports center, which Historic Triangle officials hope will attract different types of tourism to the area.
The 200,000-square-foot Williamsburg Sports & Events Center is slated to open in 2026 after nearly a decade of negotiations. The facility received official approval in December 2023.
“This facility will be a shared landmark,” said Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons. “A community asset that can be enjoyed for decades.”
The project is a joint venture between the city and James City and York counties, which together formed the Historical Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority in 2021. The authority oversees the construction and management of the sports center near the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center.
“When we build this Sports & Events Center, we will attract major sports and events to our community with increased vacation and return travel,” said Ruth Larson, Council chairwoman. of James City County Supervisors.
Sports tourism in Virginia is estimated to attract $2.7 billion in direct spending, according to a 2022 economic study. More than a quarter of that is spent in the Coastal Region, which includes the Greater Williamsburg area. .
Some residents in the area are also betting big on youth sports centers to attract tourism and spending, such as Hampton’s Aquaplex or Virginia Beach’s Sports Center.
Officials at the Historic Triangle hope the center’s operations will go beyond just dollars and cents.
“When I see people come together, when I know that kids are going to play here, their families are going to come – that’s what makes this a community,” said Sheila Noll, York’s vice chairwoman. County Board of York. Managers. “And because we are a community, this is perfect.”
The facility will include 12 basketball courts that can be converted to 24 volleyball or 36 pickleball courts, as well as climbing walls, exercise equipment and even meeting rooms.
“You have the right environment, you have all the right components,” said Mark Olmstead of MEB, the company responsible for building the facility. “It’s the perfect storm and you’re going to have the perfect product.”
The facility comes with an $80 million price tag, with Williamsburg paying for about two-thirds of the construction and the Historical Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority covering the rest, with funds from 1% of the Historical Triangle District Sales Tax.
Once operational, operating costs will be split equally between York and James City Counties.
The project was not going well from the beginning. Both parties narrowly accepted the institution in contentious meetings. Residents criticized the 1% income tax, calling it the “Tommy” tax after Sen. Former Tommy Norment, who introduced it to the General Assembly.
“They used to call me, Richmond, Senator Creampuff,” Norment said. “This project will be the project that defines the legacy of 2026 in these three areas, and make no mistake about it.”
Earlier discussions about the sports center were sparked by the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association, which received a grant in 2019 to study and design an indoor entertainment center.
“We are eternally grateful for every soul that helped us get here today,” said Ron Kirkland, the organization’s executive director. And maybe, at least one day, we can all be one big happy family.
Current plans show the center will be open Monday through Thursday for local shows, and regional and national festivals will begin Friday and Saturday.
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