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POINT PLEASANT — The new wrestling facility at Point Pleasant High School will soon be dedicated as the Hartley Wrestling Center.

The Hartley family, who own and operate several local businesses in the area, recently stepped up to make a donation for the naming rights to the building.

PPHS Wrestling Boosters put the word out this fall that it was offering up the naming rights for the new facility as a fund raising effort. Greg Hartley presented PPHS Wrestling Coach John Bonecutter with the donation this week.

Bonecutter said the money helps finance remaining construction costs as well as helps replenish the wrestling boosters’ fund just as the season gets underway - much of the boosters’ resources went to complete the facility.

Construction of the 50-foot-by-80-foot facility began in April and cost $60,000-plus. The project was financed by donations of cash and volunteer labor from the boosters as well as the community. In addition, a successful engraved brick drive raised five-figures toward the cause. Bonecutter said the brick drive was so successful, the boosters plan on developing another soon. Sandwiched between the walls of engraved bricks will be a sign noting the “Hartley Wrestling Center” on the side of the building - a building which is visible when entering the south side of the football stadium.

Just as the Hartley family has several businesses across the area, Bonecutter said support for the new wrestling center was not limited to the Point Pleasant area. Help from all over Mason County and even Gallipolis, Ohio was received for the facility which will benefit wrestlers of all ages from around the region. Bonecutter has said the new facility will be a place for not only his high school grapplers but those in the youth league to learn and develop their skills for the sport.

For years, PPHS wrestlers have brought home major awards, including state championships and did it all without a home of their own - practicing in the football locker room or the old gym at the central board office. Now that has all changed with this spacious new facility, new mats, showers, locker room, coaches offices and a heated practice area. In short, the PPHS Wrestling Program has finally found a home to place their welcome mat.