Kyle Lovern/Williamson Daily News
The sign on the front of the Williamson Fieldhouse shows it was “Dedicated to the Youth of Williamson, W.Va.” in 1950. The historic structure is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kyle Lovern/Williamson Daily News
The basketball court on the inside is still used by local Buddy Leagues and a few high school games. Over the years thousands of people have watched basketball games, concerts, boxing and other events in the building.
Kyle Lovern
Sports Editor
WILLIAMSON - It was built in 1950 and has a storied history in the Tug Valley area.
Some of the greatest basketball players in the Mountain State played on its hardwood floors. Legends like Jerry West, Hal Greer, George Ritchie – along with Danny Moses, Mark Cline and many other local hoops stars. It has also hosted musical acts, boxing matches, the circus, dances and many other events.
Now the Williamson Fieldhouse has been notified it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“I have some good news from the Board of Parks and Recreation of Williamson,” said Dr. Steve Wilson, who serves on the city’s Park Board. “In November we received notification about placing the Williamson Fieldhouse on the National Register of Historic Places.”
The Williamson Park Board should be getting an official letter and day certifying that the grand old building got on the unique list.
“The city will, once again, have voting privilege to support a new bond levy for all of our facilities (including Williamson Field House) on March 9, 2013,” said Wilson. “Having served on the board for nearly 10 years, I can tell you that remaining solvent has been an ongoing challenge.”
“The new Hatfield-McCoy trailhead at Sycamore offers us real hope for self-sustaining income,” Wilson added.
“We are in dire need of replacing the roof on the Fieldhouse. It will cost $100,000 for a repair job that will give us about 10 years. A price for a $500,000 replacement would give us at least 30 years with understructure allowing more economical future repair,” Wilson stated. “Receiving the NRHP recognition does put us in a better position to potentially receive grant monies, however, most of these grants are matching grants only. We have to be able to put our money where our requests are.”
(Kyle Lovern is the sports editor for the Williamson Daily News. Comments or story ideas can be sent to klovern@williamsondailynews.com or klovern@civtasmedia.com)
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