It was early on Tuesday that I got an email that said, “Please find attached an invitation that Mayor Goodwin has extended to the Board to attend an important announcement tomorrow.” I opened the attachment, and it simply said, “We Invite you to a Significant Announcement on Wednesday, August 24th at 2:00 PM” and that’s about it. My curiosity was piqued and the location was at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, just a few blocks from the office, so I figured I might swing by if I wasn’t too busy.

Then later that evening, I was at a party when I heard a few whispers here and there about the big announcement tomorrow. Apparently, no one knew what it was about and the mayor’s office and the Kanawha County Commission were being very secretive. No one had the inside track, not even close friends of those in the know.

So at 2:00 on August 24th, I swung on by Convention Center and see what was going on. Turns out, I’m not the only one! Anyone who was is anyone in Charleston was there along with Kanawha County Commissioners Kent Carper and Ben Salango, Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin and Senator Joe Manchin!

They each gave a little speech, then revealed an animation produced by ZMM Architects & Engineers of a $80 million indoor multi-sports complex to be developed from several Town Center Mall structures right across the street from the Convention Center itself.

Right now, the plan is to use three floors of Parking Building B on Lee Street and building several attractions above it. Including a regulation amateur wrestling area, a soccer field, six basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts and a running track.

A portion of the Macy’s structure would be demolished to construct a 50-meter, competition-grade aquatic center, with seating for 300, a rock-climbing wall and a 30,000-square foot fitness area containing weightlifting equipment and cardiovascular machines, along with CrossFit, yoga and personal training services.

This is just the beginning. There will be some legal hurtles, some funding to acquire and some public meetings to iron out details and incorporate public opinion. But it looks to me like a great start on a project the city really needs attacks sports tourism and improve the quality of life for everyone in and around Charleston!