CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The BrickStreet Foundation has awarded the Shawnee Park Foundation a $1 million grant for the construction of a multi-sports complex in Dunbar, the Kanawha County Commission announced Tuesday.
The county commission is looking to redevelop the 128-acre site into a complex capable of hosting local and regional youth sports tournaments, with the construction of soccer fields and other facilities estimated to cost $15.2 million.
Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango said this is one of the largest cash donations in the history of the county.
“We really appreciate BrickStreet stepping up and helping us with the project,” he said. “They have always been a good corporate citizen and they see the vision”
BrickStreet will give the county $200,000 each year over the next five years, though Salango noted the county can borrow against the grant if needed.
Salango added the Kanawha County Commission Grant Coordinator Carrie Hill and Retired Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett of the Kanawha County Parks Commission worked with BrickStreet to submit the application.
“Certainly having the letter from the BrickStreet Foundation is a tremendous boost to our project,” he said.
The commission has previously stated they hope to break ground on the facility in November.