Alternative Sports Complex
Finally Becoming Reality

When Harold Bolinger began skateboarding in 1976, at the time a freshman in high school, he wanted a place that allowed for his “alternative” sport. Now 25 years later, he is the president of Freestyle Country Clubs, Inc., a company dedicated to constructing just such a complex for skateboarders and others and perhaps more importantly finally seeing his dream become a reality.

He told Weekend Adventures Magazine that FCCI has over 100 acres of land near Romney, WV and their building permit is in hand for a mammoth collection of half pipes for their “vert” section. “This is the beginning of something potentially huge for the region,” he stated.

Club officials want a safe skating environment for area young people that is away from pedestrian and vehicular traffic. But B-3 (bikes, boards and blades) sports are not the only ones to be provided at this site. “Paint Ball, multiple K-9 training centers, and multiple bicycle and motor sports areas are also planned,” Bolinger stated.

“This is not some half-baked tennis court conversion,” he told Weekend Adventures. “On this property we have the elbow room to make this a truly first-class facility for up to a dozen sports and recreational activities. We have designed our B-3 ramps to challenge even the top 1% of vert riders in the nation. Up to 15 acres will be reserved for parking alone. This facility will serve a 9 county market, with regional competitions drawing from all over the East Coast.  Windfalls will come to the entire area once we are at that level,” he stated.

FCCI has developed several creative funding mechanisms to raise the $500,000 needed to fully construct the alternative sports complex. First, the company will be selling billboard advertising on their perimeter fencing.

Secondly, they are reaching regional businesses with an employee membership plan similar to those offered by other health and country clubs.  Third, they have created a sponsorship program whereby local governments and larger employers could underwrite a portion of youth memberships for those who sign an agreement not to use tobacco-containing products.

“Providing a safe place to skate has been my number one concern,” Bolinger claims. “But we finally have the ultimate piece of land. This property can become a tourist attraction and spectator event host, if we can just get the right investors and partners on board with us.”

The company plans to build the facility in three phases. Mountain bicycle & motor sports trails (NBL racing, freestyle dirt courses, AMA motocross & FMX areas), several B-3 (Vert, street & freestyle areas), and K-9 training centers (agility, lure coursing and more) will be first to open. 

Other sports will be accommodated as additional monies are invested for development.