UVa-Wise - groundbreaking for Convocation Center

Much Needed!

WISE — A much-anticipated venue with the potential for economic returns for Wise County and the surrounding area is about to rise on the campus of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

The college has announced a 1 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony on July 1 to celebrate the start of construction for a $30 million Convocation Center, the largest single capital project in the college’s history.

Ceremonies are to take place next to the Humphreys-Thomas Field House at Carl Smith Stadium. State lawmakers, local leaders and regional officials will join UVa-Wise to celebrate the landmark event.

When built, the UVa-Wise Convocation Center will seat 3,000 for sporting events and 4,000 for concerts or convention-type activities. There is no other such facility in the region, and it is the sort of venue economic developers have said is needed to boost economic growth and development. The college plans to open the Convocation Center by autumn of 2011.

The Virginia General Assembly approved funding for the facility in a $1.5 billion bond package targeting construction projects at state colleges. Inclusion of the Convocation Center has been hailed as a major economic building block for Wise County and the region, not to mention a major addition for UVa-Wise.

Dignitaries expected to attend the July 1 groundbreaking include members of the Southwest Virginia delegation to Richmond, state Sens. William Wampler Jr., R-Bristol, and Phillip Puckett, D-Lebanon, and state Delegates Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, and Bud Phillips, D-Clintwood. Link to KTN

That's a lot of money. We will see if "concerts" become a reality. I am hopeful but doubtful also.

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