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A stretch of land in Upshur County will be transformed into a multi-purpose recreational complex thanks to multiple grants and a generous gift.
“Following the passing of John C. Allen, Sr., Mrs. Joyce Allen and her son John Allen, the Allen family, and the J.F. Allen Company and Board of Directors chose to honor Mr. Allen’s legacy in a remarkable way, donating 70 acres of land to be used for recreation and tourism for the benefit of future generations,” said Upshur County Commission President Kristie Tinney.
When Phase 1 is finished, the John C. Allen Regional Hub Tourism & Recreational Complex is expected to include baseball, soccer, and lacrosse fields, mountain bike flow tracks, an ice-skating rink, and a Snowflex tubing hill for year-round recreation.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $12 million through its Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. That award, combined with local, state, and private resources, fully funds the first phase of the project at approximately $16.5 million.
But it started, said Tinney, with the Allen family’s vision.
“This gift is far more than a donation of land. It is a gift of opportunity, health, recreation, and hope. Because of their generosity, children will play here, families will gather here, and memories will be made here for decades to come,” Tinney said.
Joyce Allen said her late husband dedicated his life to improving the lives of West Virginians.
“It brings me great comfort to know that his legacy will continue throughout this regional hub,” she said.