The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau announces the development of a new 285,000 square feet state-of-the-art sport center, slated for completion November 2020. The Virginia Beach Sports Center, which will be located in the coastal city’s Oceanfront district, will consist of 117,000 square feet of multi-purpose, column free flexible space built to accommodate 12 basketball courts convertible to 24 volleyball courts, a 200-meter indoor hydraulically banked track, and field event features including dual jumping pits and dual pole vault pits.
Additionally, the Sports Center will accommodate seating for nearly 5,000 track spectators and include concession areas and meeting rooms. With the court space and ability to lay the track flat, the design will allow for flexible use of program space to accommodate a variety of sporting events including gymnastics, wrestling, futsal, floor hockey and more.
Earlier this month, the Virginia Beach City Council approved moving forward with the development of the Sports Center by passing a resolution allowing the city to contract with MEB General Contractors to design and construct the new facility and associated parking for a guaranteed maximum price of just over $68 million. The project is anticipated to break ground this fall.
“Virginia Beach has established itself as a sports tourism destination for the last 20 years, hosting 100 events per year,” said Nancy Helman, director of sports marketing at the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Not only will our state-of-the-art indoor venue enable us to host a variety of sporting events for youth and adults, but it will also allow us to continue to elevate our offerings to sports groups, a number of which have already shown tremendous interest in the new facility.”
The strategic design of the floor plan has taken into consideration all aspects needed for competitions and features convertible restrooms with special doping control rooms, warm-up track lanes, athlete restrooms and dedicated locker rooms for officials with private entrances. Additional space for sports events organizers is available immediately across the street at the 500,000 square feet Virginia Beach Convention Center, a premiere sports and convention complex 0.8 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and a variety of hotels and restaurants.
“The Sports Center will continue to enhance the coastal city’s appeal as a year-round tournament destination,” said Brad Van Dommelen, director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Families often choose between a vacation and sports opportunities for their children, but Virginia Beach allows them to do both. We look forward to welcoming them to Virginia Beach for these tournaments, and we’re eager for them to see everything the destination has to offer beyond the beach.”
The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau works to stimulate new product offerings that attract visitors and enhance the quality of life for residents. Regional events, national championships and tournaments will bring thousands of athletes, along with their families and spectators to Virginia Beach.
About the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau: The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Virginia Beach), the official destination marketing organization for the city of Virginia Beach, is a municipal organization whose mission is to promote the coastal city as a year-round destination for domestic and international leisure travel, business travel, conventions, sports and special events.
Virginia Beach, Virginia’s most populous city, resides where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is comprised of seven unique districts: Sandbridge, Chesapeake Bay, Town Center, Pungo, Oceanfront, ViBe Creative District and Inland. The area is home to 35 miles of sandy beaches, a flourishing culinary and emerging craft beer scene, rich history, a variety of arts and entertainment and family-friendly attractions that keeps its 19 million annual visitors entertained year-round. For all there is to see and do in Virginia Beach, follow Visit Virginia Beach on Facebook and Instagram @VisitVaBeach and on Twitter @VisitVaBch, or go to VisitVirginiaBeach.com.
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