The Bridge Sports Complex

Program Designer

To serve community needs the building is also programmed with a variety of social and activity spaces to serve the day-to-day user and to directly improve the lives of the citizens of Bridgeport. Accompanying the sports spaces are an open fitness center, group exercise studio, clip n climb, and an elevated walk/jog track. There are also team meeting rooms that can flex as public gathering spaces. These areas combined with the sports venues create a truly multipurpose center, supporting the needs of the community.

Circulation Flow

Key issues considered in its design are providing great competition venues with good play areas, exceptional spectator views and access, and ease of building operations. Equally important to success is ensuring there are suitable spaces outside the competition areas for gathering, dinning, rest, and activities beyond athletics to serve the patron and guest as much as the athlete on the court, in the pool, or on the field. To that point, the facility is organized to allow for good visual access between the primary spaces through open and inviting concourses and clear wayfinding to create a comfortable user experience.

The Bridge opened in May 2021, and since its opening, has exceeded its first-year program use, league, and membership goals by the end of its first month of operations. The community has embraced the facility locally and regionally and will be a major sports tournament venue for northern West Virginia.