GAME ON! IT’S GAME ON IN Charleston! Two major sports venues have upped the area’s game, positioning the Kanawha Valley as the ideal location for sporting events and tournaments. The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center has unveiled a dramatic $100 million expansion and renovation that added 146,000 square feet of space, nearly doubling its footprint. Renovations include new concourse and ticketing areas, as well as stunning glass lobbies and pre-function areas. Shawnee Sports Complex is a new massive $18 million outdoor multi-sports area featuring six turf and 11 grass fields for soccer, lacrosse, football and rugby, plus four turf baseball fields. A renovated lodge with indoor concessions, an Olym-pic-size pool and outdoor basketball courts provide athletes and their families an exceptional experience. SPORTS VENUES AND FACILITIES OFFER GREAT PLACES FOR TOURNEY PLAY TURN THE PAGE FOR A ROUNDUP OF AREA SPORTS VENUES! Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center Appalachian Power Park is home to the West Virginia Power, a minor league baseball team in the Seattle Mariners organization. In June 2019, Power Park hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. The facility is home to the annual state high school baseball tournament and local colle-giate baseball events. Some of the Charleston area’s other sports venues include the University of Charleston Innovation Center , UC Stadium at Laidley Field , West Virgin-ia State University athletic facilities, Friends of Coal Fields at Trace Fork and South Charleston ’s new and renovated multi-use area with grass and turf baseball, softball and soccer fields. The Charleston area is locat-ed at the confluence of three major interstates (64, 77 and 79) and within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population. Combine that convenience with an abundant and affordable hotel inventory and tons of family-friendly attractions, and it’s easy to see why the Kanawha Valley is a homer-un for sporting events and tournaments. READY TO PLAY? VISIT charlestonwv.com #CWV 53
Charleston Area Travel Planner Charleston Area Travel Planner 2019: Page 53
