First Phase of Evaluating Sports Facility Design Nears Completion; Design Moves to Williamsburg Architectural Review Board for Conceptual Review
The Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority is nearing completion of a final design concept and cost estimate for the regional indoor sports facility on property in the City of Williamsburg.
The exterior design of the sports complex will go before the City of Williamsburg’s Architectural Review Board (ARB) for a conceptual review on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. The meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Room 127 of the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary St.
The chosen property for the sports facility is adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center at 100 Visitor Center Drive and is zoned in a Corridor Protection District, or a major entrance corridor of the City, which requires ARB approval to ensure the exterior design complies with the City’s Design Review Guidelines.
No decision regarding approval will be made at the ARB meeting; the exterior design would need final approval from the ARB, with any required changes incorporated into the exterior design, at a future meeting. A cost estimate can be determined after a final design is approved.
The indoor sports facility will be at least 160,000 square feet and include 12 basketball courts that can be converted to 24 volleyball courts and 36 pickleball courts. The facility will grow and improve Greater Williamsburg’s sports offerings while attracting teams and tournaments to boost sports tourism in the area.
In September 2022, the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority, a governing body made up of members of the three Historic Triangle localities, approved an interim agreement with construction firm MEB to design and build a regional indoor sports facility on property in the City of Williamsburg. Architectural firms Clark Nexsen, Guernsey Tingle, and Timmons Group are part of the design-build team for this project.
Over the course of this fall and winter, the plan review process for this project will include a site plan review by City staff and the Williamsburg Planning Commission’s Site Plan Review Committee, as well as a rezoning request, which will require public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Williamsburg City Council. In addition, the regional indoor sports facility requires final approval from the Williamsburg City Council, the James City County Board of Supervisors, and the York County Board of Supervisors.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Nicole Trifone (Williamsburg): ntrifone@williamsburgva.gov
Latara Rouse (James City County): Latara.Rouse@jamescitycountyva.gov
Gail Whittaker (York County): whittgl@yorkcounty.gov