2 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 12 Number 11


August 2018


Virginia Beach Sports Center Gets the Green Light


BY VBGOV.COM On July 10, the City Council


approved the agreement to design and build an indoor Sports Center across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center.


Te new 285,000-square-foot


sports center will be built to NCAA standards to capture more of the growing sports tourism market. It will accommodate a variety of sporting events and tournaments including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track and field, martial arts and cheerleading, most of which take place during fall, winter and spring months. Most of the City’s tourism revenue is generated during the peak summer season. Having a year-round indoor sports center will generate revenue throughout the year. Funded by Tourism Investment Program (TIP) revenues, the building


will cost $57,776,725. Parking spaces and site costs total $10,364,322.


Te recommendation to build


the sports center came aſter a comprehensive review of the City’s sports marketing initiatives by an outside consulting firm. Two years of research into similar facilities around the country, consultation with stakeholders, and public engagement with residents helped shape the final designs. Te design-build contract was awarded to MEB General Contractors, Inc. following a competitive proposal process.


Construction of the sports


center is set to begin in August and be completed by November 2020. For more information about the project, visit VBgov.com/SportsCenter .


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