Chesterfield Cuts Ribbon on New Recreation Facility at Stonebridge
55,000-square-foot Indoor Sports Facility Is Home to the Richmond Volleyball Club and the Stonebridge Recreation Center
Today, Chesterfield County’s Economic Development Authority, Parks and Recreation and the Richmond Volleyball Club officially cut the ribbon on a new facility, located at 200 Karl Linn Drive. The 55,000-square-foot indoor sports facility, built by the EDA, is home to the Richmond Volleyball Club and the Stonebridge Recreation Center.
“We are so glad to celebrate the opening of this new recreation facility,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Dorothy Jaeckle. “This collaboration between the Economic Development Authority of Chesterfield, Chesterfield Parks and Recreation and the Richmond Volleyball Club is an excellent example of a truly successful public-private redevelopment partnership.”
Richmond Volleyball Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing volleyball athletes of all ages, is leasing 50,000 square feet from the EDA, which provides space for eight courts for year-round volleyball programming in Chesterfield. The dedicated space, especially built for volleyball, will also allow Richmond Volleyball Club to host larger tournaments that span the entire region, bringing in more visitors to the metro-Richmond area.
“Richmond Volleyball Club is thrilled to connect with Chesterfield residents,” said Darcy Carroll, Richmond Volleyball Club executive director. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the EDA and Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation to offer a convenient, premier facility, and comprehensive volleyball programs. As a non-profit, we have a strong outreach program. It is our goal to spread the love of the sport to beginners and competitive players alike.”
Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation will lease the additional 5,000 square feet for the new Stonebridge Recreation Center. The recreation center is the first in the Midlothian area and will primarily host older-adult programming, including classes, workshops, fitness programs and special events. Additionally, during the daytime hours, the county will have access to the entire facility for programs or events. The Stonebridge Recreation Center joins the Bensley and Ettrick centers as the county’s third public recreation facility.
“The Parks and Recreation Department is looking forward to this new amenity,” Parks and Recreation Director Dr. James Worsley said. “This unique partnership with the Richmond Volleyball Club provides the department with access to a multi-use facility. The Stonebridge Recreation Center will have space for recreation programs and events. We are excited about the opportunities to expand services to all members of the community.”
“We are thrilled to have our Parks and Recreation Department partner with the Richmond Volleyball Club to bring such great services and programs to our community,” said Leslie Haley, vice chair of the board of supervisors and Midlothian District representative. “The economic impact on the eastern Midlothian area from the people visiting this facility for daily events and weekend tournaments will be tremendous.”
Art Heinz, Economic Development Authority chair, said, “We are extremely excited about this extraordinary sports facility. It will add to the enthusiasm around Stonebridge and sports tourism throughout the county.”
Richmond Volleyball Club and Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation will be the newest tenants to locate in the Stonebridge area. Stonebridge is a successful mixed-use revitalization development which is home to Kroger Marketplace, one the company’s largest stores in the mid-Atlantic region; the Elements at Stonebridge, Boyd Homes’ luxury apartment community; and the Shops at Stonebridge.
# # #
ABOUT STONEBRIDGE
Stonebridge was a public-private partnership between Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority and Crosland, Southeast to transform the former Cloverleaf Mall site into a multimillion-dollar retail, residential and commercial center. The project was named “Best Public-Private Partnership Project in Virginia” by Virginia Business Magazine in 2011. Stonebridge was recently acquired by S2 Capital Partners, LLC. Company officials have expressed their commitment to continue to invest in the project and are adding another 15,600 square feet of retail development.
ABOUT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION
With more than 45 public parks and 4,387 acres of green space, the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Department offers many opportunities for residents to engage in recreation and outdoor pursuits. The county is also home to many athletic complexes, where sports tournaments and athletic events are hosted. In addition, the parks system maintains many historical sites, an extensive trail system, several conservation areas, three community recreation centers, the Rockwood Nature Center and the County Fairgrounds. A wide variety of recreation services for all ages are offered to meet community needs.
ABOUT RICHMOND VOLLEYBALL CLUB
Richmond Volleyball Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing athletes of all ages for amateur volleyball competition. RVC is Richmond’s oldest sports and social club and has the largest, volleyball-dedicated facilities in the country. Since 1981, RVC has championed the growth of volleyball in central Virginia. RVC is social, fun and family-oriented with year-round volleyball programs for ages 3 – 73.
ABOUT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Chesterfield Economic Development Authority works in conjunction with the Department of Economic Development to help create new jobs, expand the tax base, and diversify the economy of Chesterfield County. The EDA is chartered through a state law that allows cities and counties to create industrial or economic development authorities with wide-ranging powers, not available to local governments, with the purpose of facilitating economic development opportunities within the community.
