Proposed Olympic Facility Could Begin Construction In February

Construction on a 50-acre, $100M Olympic training facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia, “could begin in February,” according to Jeter & Hester of the RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH. SportsQuest Chair & CEO Steve Burton is “purchasing the land for the first of three phases for the project, which would include an ice skating rink, aquatics center, sports medicine clinic, fitness center and family entertainment center.” Later phases would include a 6,000-seat arena for sports and special events; a hotel; a retail plaza; indoor/outdoor tennis facilities with stadium seating; and a 50,000-square-foot field house. The Chesterfield Planning Commission must approve the plan. The facility is being “designed to host national and international championships and Olympic trials.” Burton said that “selected Olympic candidates would reside in an on-campus, 200-room hotel and train for free.” Burton, a psychologist, said that he will “provide a large portion of the startup cost of the project with equity.” He also said that he is “negotiating a loan from Bank of America and help from Olympic sponsors.” HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, which designed the Cowboys’ new stadium, is the contracted architect for the project (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 12/24).