First Phase of Evaluating Williamsburg Sports Facility Design Nears Completion

The Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority is nearing completion of a final design concept and cost estimate for the regional indoor sports facility that will be located in the City of Williamsburg.

The exterior design of the sports complex will go before the City of Williamsburg’s Architectural Review Board (ARB) for a conceptual review on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Room 127 of the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary St.

The chosen property for the sports facility is adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center at 100 Visitor Center Drive and is zoned in a Corridor Protection District, which requires ARB approval to ensure the exterior design complies with the City’s Design Review Guidelines.

No decision regarding approval will be made at the ARB meeting. The exterior design would need final approval from the ARB, with any required changes incorporated into the exterior design, at a future meeting. A cost estimate can be determined after a final design is approved.

The indoor sports facility will be at least 160,000 square feet and include 12 basketball courts that can be converted to 24 volleyball courts and 36 pickleball courts. The facility will grow and improve Greater Williamsburg’s sports offerings while attracting teams and tournaments to boost sports tourism in the area.

In September 2022, the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority approved an interim agreement with construction firm MEB to design and build the regional indoor sports facility. Architectural firms Clark Nexsen, Guernsey Tingle, and Timmons Group are part of the design-build team for this project.

Over the course of this fall and winter, the plan review process for this project will include:

• A site plan review by City staff and the Williamsburg Planning Commission’s Site Plan Review Committee
• A rezoning request, which will require public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Williamsburg City Council
• Final approval from the Williamsburg City Council, the James City County Board of Supervisors, and the York County Board of Supervisors

The Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex is a significant project for the Greater Williamsburg community, and we are excited to see the design concept nearing completion. We will continue to provide updates on the project’s progress as it becomes available.