POINT PLEASANT — Former students, residents and businesses still have an opportunity to put their name on a memorial at Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School.

According to Denny Bellamy, a member of the athletic complex committee, due to recent response the deadline to purchase commemorative bricks has been extended.

“We want to give people more time to get in touch with their family members about buying a brick,” Bellamy said. “We want everyone that wants on the wall to get on.”

The bricks will be placed along the entry way as a permanent reminder of the community’s dedication to the project. The athletic complex committee is selling the commemorative bricks, which may be purchases in memory or in honor of people and also can be designated for a specific graduating class.

Bricks cost $100 each. There is no limit to the number of bricks that can be ordered by individuals, and Bellamy encouraged those interested in purchasing a brick to do so as soon as possible because the entry way is expected to be finished by August.

“The names (on the bricks) will go into the construction of the entrance of the stadium and will be there for generations. Hundreds and thousands of people from different towns will come to visit (the stadium) and will see the names,” Bellamy said. “The (entrance) will be like a modern day Tu-Endie-Wei.”

In addition, Bellamy emphasized the importance of purchasing bricks as soon as possible because they will show who was still active in town. He encouraged every business on Main St. to purchase a brick in order for people to know that businesses in this generation were active in the community.

Bellamy also emphasized the tourism aspect of the new athletic complex, and said that athletics brings people to town, which is another reason why residents should purchase bricks.

“This is a monument of 2009... One hundred dollars is nothing, and you can put your name on a memorial in Point Pleasant,” he added.

According to Bellamy, the stadium is expected to be complete in time for the first home football game, and those who purchase bricks will have the privilege of seeing their brick as they walk into the stadium.

Construction of the new athletic complex began in April. The state-of-the-art facility will host a football field as well as baseball and softball fields, tennis and basketball courts, a track, concession stands, restrooms and locker rooms. The first phase of construction will consist of the football field, track, bleachers, lighting and pressbox, while Phase II will see construction of the field house that will have concession stands, restrooms and locker rooms as well as tennis courts. Plans also call for the revitalization of the softball and baseball fields by adding permanent bleachers and bringing lights from Sanders Field to illuminate the grounds.

The stadium and track area will seat 3,500 fans, and the football field is expected to be complete by Aug. 1.

The estimated cost for the entire complex is $3.3 million, with members of the athletic complex committee organizing a variety of fundraisers as well as contacting foundations and businesses for donations and grants. The group has secured approximately $2.2 million through donations, promises and legislative money.

Other committee members are Denny Bellamy, Ron Durst, Troy Krebs, Mario Liberatore and John Roach.

Applications for the bricks may be picked up at Ohio Valley Bank, Village Pizza or the tourism center in Point Pleasant.

Bellamy said that he is even willing to go to residents’ homes to collect money for bricks if they are unable to bring it themselves because he wants everyone to have the chance to purchase a brick.

For additional details regarding the bricks, contact any member of the athletic complex committee, or call the tourism center at 304-675-6788.