That is how Denny Bellamy, member of the athletic complex committee, described the entrance to the new state-of-the-art stadium that is currently being built at Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School.
According to Bellamy, the commemorative 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 currently selling bricks, which may be purchased 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 orders must be placed by Monday, June 15 so that the entry gate at the stadium will be finished by the first football game this fall.
“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.”
He added that the bricks will be here for generations, and that people who visit the stadium will be able to see who lives in Point Pleasant, played sports or went to high school at Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School.
“This shows that when the entire economy collapsed that we were still able to build schools and stadiums,” Bellamy said.
In addition, he described the athletic stadium as another aspect of tourism in the area. According to Bellamy, athletics bring people to town, and advised everyone with ties to the school to purchase a brick. Businesses also can purchase bricks.
“(The bricks) will show who was still active in town. Every business on Main St. should have a brick so that people know in this generation your business was here and you were active in the community,” he said. “This is a monument of 2009...One hundred dollars is nothing, and you can put your name on a memorial in Point Pleasant.”
According to Bellamy, the stadium is expected to be finished and will be ready for the first home football game, and those who purchase the bricks will have the privilege of seeing their brick as they walk into the stadium.
“You want to leave your name on something here besides a tombstone so people know you did something here,” Bellamy said.
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 the school, Ohio Valley Bank or Village Pizza in Point Pleasant. Applications and money can be sent to Ohio Valley Bank, c/o Mario Liberatore, Viand Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550. Updated information regarding the project can be found online at http://www.pointpleasantathleticcomplex.com or http://ww.flickr.com.
For additional details regarding the bricks, contact any member of the athletic complex committee, or call the tourism center at 304-675-6788.
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