The Capital Sports Center is set to become a reality with the release of its draft executive summary, detailing its plans. According to Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin’s Chief of Staff Matthew Sutton, the Sports Center Authority worked closely with sports facility advisors to determine the best features for the facility. The goal is to create a sports tourism destination in Charleston that will complement Shawnee Park and work in conjunction with the coliseum and convention center to attract travel sports and generate economic revenue for the community.
The executive summary outlines the layout of the facility, including three floors and a mezzanine with basketball courts, a family entertainment center, and pickleball courts, among other amenities. It also projects how much revenue the multimillion-dollar center is expected to generate in its first five years. Sutton explained that the playbook laid out in the summary will guide the development of the facility, with immediate plans to focus on generating revenue upon completion and future plans to expand into aquatics and other sports.
Residents like Freda Reaves believe that the Capital Sports Center will benefit the city by bringing in business and putting Charleston on the map as a sports destination. Reaves mentioned the potential for restaurants and food courts to thrive as a result of the center attracting visitors for games and events. Public comments on the center are still being accepted until June 30, with feedback welcomed via email at info@kanawha.us.
