Salem celebrates re-opening of Moyer Sports Complex Monday

SALEM, Va. (WDBJ) – Community members and city stakeholders gathered in Salem as the city celebrated the grand re-opening of the Moyer Sports Complex Monday.

The revamped facility is anticipated to bring significant economic benefits to the area and city leaders are hopeful this project will give them a leg up for recruiting new businesses and boosting Salem’s economy.

John Oney, representing Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, emphasized the opportunities that the complex brings.

“When we look at Moyer, we think of opportunity not just for what’s happened in the past but for what we are looking at in the future,” said Oney.

The primary goal of the Moyer Sports Complex remains to stimulate Salem’s economy.

John Shaner, another key figure in the project, highlighted the complex’s historical and ongoing significance.

“The Moyer Sports Complex for years has always been our major economic driver, for the last 32 years. But the facility needed to be upgraded for us to be competitive in the world of sports marketing,” said Shaner.

Over the decades, the complex has hosted more than 900 softball tournaments, including state tournaments, World Series events, and even the U.S. Olympic Softball Team. The $27.9 million renovation project has transformed the complex into a state-of-the-art facility, now boasting 13 pickleball courts with new lighting, additional shaded areas, and expanded parking.

Oney stressed the economic impact of sports tourism.

“Setting the table in terms of sports tourism, it’s a $52 billion industry. $2.7 billion was generated just in the Commonwealth of Virginia alone,” said Oney.

The new complex is already scheduled to host two major pickleball tournaments in 2024, with an expected attendance of 200,000 to 300,000 people in the fall. Officials are optimistic that with the support of the community and key stakeholders, the Moyer Sports Complex will become a leading sports destination.

“We hope we have a lot of out-of-town people coming in and spending a lot of money,” Shaner concluded.

Stakeholders said the grand re-opening of the Moyer Sports Complex marks a significant milestone for Salem, promising not only enhanced recreational facilities but also a boost to the local economy.

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