BUCKHANNON — Work continues on the $50 million John C. Allen Regional Hub as the Upshur County Commission encourages residents and guests to “stay tuned for upcoming updates.”

“We are excited for the John C. Allen Regional Hub to provide Upshur County with a central gathering place devoted to well-being and community activities,” Commission President Sam Nolte said in a statement. “Our mission and vision are to elevate the quality of life for all. The facility is being planned to accommodate a wide variety of interests, ages and abilities.”

The “Master Plan” for the Hub, a new recreational complex for the Upshur County area, was first presented last October to the Upshur County Commission by representatives from Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) and Omni Architects. The project is expected to cost approximately $50 million to construct.

In the Oct. 21, 2024 meeting minutes for the Upshur County Commission, the facility is described as “designed to facilitate activities for all citizens of the county and surrounding area,” with many amenities available for use, “such as ball fields, parking, camping areas, a 1.5 mile pedestrian walking trail and an 80,000 square foot indoor facility which will be used for a variety of indoor sports.”

In 2022, the J.F. Allen Company donated 70 acres of land along Corridor H, just west of Buckhannon to the Upshur County Commission for the project, a “significant contribution” which the Commission believes will set the Hub to become “a centerpiece for residents and visitors alike.”

“We are deeply humbled and honored by the J.F. Allen Company’s generous donation,” Commissioner Kristie Tenney said in a statement to The Inter-Mountain. “This gift presents an incredible opportunity to build a recreational complex that will benefit the entire community. Our sincere thanks go to John C. Allen, the J.F. Allen Company, the Board of Directors and Greg Hodjis for their overwhelming support of Upshur County.” 

Currently, the donated land is undergoing an environmental evaluation as planning moves forward, the Commission stated.

According to a Final Concept Rendering from March 2024, the John C. Allen Regional Hub is set to include:

A full-size baseball and softball field and a little league baseball/softball field;

Six outdoor pickleball courts;

Two outdoor basketball courts;

Three full sized multi-purpose fields;

An 80,000 square foot indoor recreation facility;

A mountain bike course with beginner, intermediate and advanced trails;

A 5,500 square-foot splash pad;

A 7,200 square-foot playground;

A snowflex all-season sledding hill;

A magic carpet lift.

“I have spent a career teaching others about the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle. The Hub offers our entire area a chance to participate in activities that are not only healthy but also fun,” Commissioner Douglas Bush said in a statement.

“In West Virginia, it is always challenging to find family opportunities for all ages. The Hub will be the remedy for all ages for their winter-time blues. I’m primarily excited for the doors it will open for our children, a safe place to go and to make wonderful memories. I’m excited for the future the Hub brings to our entire area.”

Lodging will also be included at the Hub, with an area for “Safari Tent Glamping,” condo-style lodging, group park model-style lodging and a park model-style lodging village. Diagrams show the Hub holding 763 total parking spaces, as well as parking lots for golf carts.

In January, the Commission received $714,900 for the Hub project after the West Virginia Water Development Authority approved $25.9 million in funding for 17 water, sewer and economic development projects throughout the state.

On July 17, the Upshur County Commission approved and authorized submitting two applications for grants through the the West Virginia Division of Highways, Transportation Alternatives Program. If approved, funding from those grants would be utilized for perimeter walking and biking trails, as well as a BMX and mountain bike course at the Hub.

“The Commission is excited to see the positive economic impact this facility will bring-not only to our county, but to the surrounding counties as well,” a Commission statement to The Inter-Mountain reads. “We look forward to working together in partnership to ensure its success and shared growth. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for upcoming updates as this exciting project progresses.”