GAME ON! IN 2018, IT’S GAME ON in Charleston. Ribbon-cut-tings for two major competi-tive sports venues have given the region a leg up on the competition, positioning the Kanawha Valley region as the ideal location for sport-ing events and tournaments. The Charleston Conven-tion Center and Coliseum will unveil its dramatic $100 million expansion and ren-ovation with an additional 146,000 square feet of space that nearly doubles its new 300,000-square-feet footprint. Renovations in-clude a new concourse and ticketing areas, a multi-mil-lion-dollar Wi-Fi upgrade and stunning glass lobbies. SPORTS VENUES AND FACILITIES OFFER GREAT PLACES FOR TOURNEY PLAY TURN THE PAGE FOR A ROUNDUP OF AREA SPORTS VENUES! Shawnee Park Also opening this year is a massive $10 million outdoor multi-sport complex at Shaw-nee Park , which will feature six turf and 11 grass rectangu-lar fields for soccer, lacrosse, football and rugby, as well as four turf baseball fields. A renovated lodge with indoor concessions, an Olympic-size pool and outdoor basketball courts will help offer an exceptional experience. Laidley Field These new offerings comple-ment the Charleston area’s other sports venues, including the University of Charleston Innovation Center , UC Sta-dium at Laidley Field , West Virginia State University athletic facilities and South Charleston ’s newly built and renovated multi-use area with a combination of grass and turf baseball, softball and soccer fields. There’s also the Friends of Coal Fields at Trace Fork; YMCA indoor basketball, volleyball and swimming facilities; and mu-nicipal fields in nearby Nitro . With its convenient location, affordable hotels and tons of family-friendly attractions, it’s easy to see why the Kanawha Valley is a home-run for sport-ing events and tournaments. #CWV READY TO PLAY? VISIT charlestonwv.com 53
Charleston Area Travel Planner Charleston Travel Planner 2018: Page 53
