Huntington church breaks ground on 60,000-square-foot sports dome

“We are hoping to host volleyball and basketball travel tournaments starting next spring, as well as wrestling tournaments, cheer competitions, soccer and all types of sporting competitions,” Expression Church Senior Pastor Kevin West said.

West says the $6.3 million project has been in the works for the past few years.

“We acquired three acres across the street from the church and immediately began praying about what we could do with it,” West said. “We believe we’re here to be an outreach, so what does that look like?”

West said after many prayers and discussions with the church’s team and board of directors the vision started taking shape.

“Our goal is to do something that would have a large economic impact in our community and we believe the church is not just here for itself,” he said. “We realized we were very sports driven here, so all the pieces came together. We give God all the credit.”

The church and Marshall University did studies about the impact the indoor sports facility would have on the local economy.

“Both of our studies showed it would bring in approximately 110,000 people annually with 30% of that being local and 70% being from out of the area,” West said. “Marshall’s study showed an economic impact at a minimum of $7.5 million. We were a little more aggressive in our study an estimated about $11 million.”

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said he believes both of those estimates are on the conservative side.

“It’s less than a quarter mile from Interstate Exit 6 with 25 million vehicles a year passing by,” he said. “If you use $500 spent per family, the impact is $55 million.”

Williams said over the years the West End of Huntington has been cast aside and given short shrift. He said the Ex-Dome is an example of many positive things happening the community.

“We have 14th Street West and all the investment that we’ve had there and the investment made by Coalfield Development in the Black Diamond, the Polymer Alliance Zone investment into a large manufacturing facility and the all inclusive playground at St. Cloud’s Commons,” he said. “All of these things are drawing people into Huntington’s West End. I think it’s appropriate with this church, to reference a scripture of saying that ‘the stone that had been cast away has become the cornerstone.’

“All we need is some vision of investors in the area and this is exactly what the church is doing. I can see new restaurants and hotels being built down here. This is thinking the stone that has been cast aside is demonstrating that it can be the cornerstone for the development of Huntington.”

The church also started a kindergarten through 8th grade micro school in Westmoreland this year, Expression Prep Academy.

“It’s been so successful we’ve decided to go all the way up to high school starting this fall,” West said.

The Ex-Dome will be the home for the academy’s sports teams

Bridget Rousey, of Huntington, attends the church and said she is excited for the opportunities the sports complex will offer for her two children.

“My son plays travel soccer and so we have experienced that world,” she said. “So to be able to know that we’re going to be having this right in our backyard is so exciting. I think it’s going to be a great place for kids who need a place to hang out and to flourish.”

Expression Church will celebrate its 10th year in September, West added.

“We’re part of the bigger West End footprint. That’s the big thing,” he said. “We want to be part of the redevelopment down here.”

West said the church is still looking for corporate sponsorships and private donations for the project.

“We have naming rights opportunities and other sponsorship and private donation opportunities for anyone or any business wanting to be involved with this amazing project,” he said.

West said all the necessary permits have been obtained and construction will begin right away.

“We are hoping to open the Ex-Dome by the end of October or early November,” he said.