Burton says, “People who are interested in fitness enjoy participating
in sports more than viewing sports, and people who are active
specifically enjoy watching their particular sport.
Article updated: 7/29/2010 5:28:43 PM
The Richmond area continues to gain recognition as a physically fit region, and as the demand grows so do the events and facilities. Dominion Riverrock, Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K, and the Suntrust Richmond Marathon are just a few of the local activities that have seen a huge increase in participation. Fitness facilities like health clubs, parks and outdoor fields continue to grow and thrive.
SportsQuest is a sports and family entertainment “campus” that has made big news in recent months for its ambitious growth plans and goal of being a destination for families in Chesterfield and all around the Richmond area. Dr. Steve Burton is the CEO and Chairman and obviously the fuel that’s propelling this fitness center to fruition. So, why here and why now? “I actually went to 6th through 12th grade here, and that helped my appreciation for the region and that this would be a good fit,” says Burton. “I came back to the area in 1991 and have been here since.”
One of the key benefits of having a sports facility like this being located in the Richmond area is exactly that—location. As Burton says, the Richmond area is within a one-day car ride for 50% of the U.S. population. No wonder so many athletes and spectators flock to this area.
One of the goals of SportsQuest is to combine sports participation with viewing opportunities. Burton says, “People who are interested in fitness enjoy participating in sports more than viewing sports, and people who are active specifically enjoy watching their particular sport. So we are going to broaden the number of sports that people can participate in and watch in the Richmond area.” The end result is cultivating a community that encourages and celebrates active lifestyles.
But what motivates Dr. Burton? “A big part of my personal motivation is to increase the engagement and use of adults in active recreation and sports programming. As we grow older, it’s a lot easier to maintain fitness and heath when you can center it around a sport. It’s a lot more social and engaging. The benefits can be better.”
To that end, SportsQuest has a proposed plan that takes the more is more approach. This sports and family entertainment facility will be located on a 250-acre campus at the intersection of Route 288 and Powhite Parkway. Upon completion, it will provide sports programming for recreational enjoyment, youth development, and high-performance athletes in 20 Olympic amateur sports. The events will range from ice skating to cycling to volleyball. The Richmond Revolution arena football team has plans to move their games from the Arthur Ashe Center to SportsQuest once it’s available.
So when can we lace up our skates or tackle the fitness room? Well, that depends on what you’re interested in. The campus is divided into sections and they will be opening in stages. Portions of the east side are scheduled to open as soon as fall of 2010. The west side will begin its rollout in the spring of 2011 and will eventually feature the fitness center, ice plex, acquatics center, and family entertainment center.
Another key benefit for the region besides having another activity-related outlet for residents is job creation. Construction and other employment opportunities are likely one of the main factors Governor Bob McDonnell made an appearance at the groundbreaking ceremony in March.
So whether it’s a new athletic event in the area, a new chain of health clubs, or a unique fitness center, there’s no denying that it’s all being done to meet the needs of a community that is on the move. And no matter how you look at it, that’s good for residents and visitors to the Richmond region.
Article first appeared in SBQ Issue #14, May/June | 2010
