Ribbon cutting held to unveil new look
BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The historic Williamson Fieldhouse is one of the most iconic basketball facilities in the region and the state of West Virginia.
The Williamson Board of Parks and Recreation (WPBR) hosted a special ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 2 to unveil a new floor design on the hardwood.
Williamson Middle School boys team hosted Belfry Middle for the first game on the new court after the ceremony. A good crowd turned out for the game between the two local teams.
Members of the Park Board, Mayor Mike Casey, Williamson High School Athletic Hall of Fame and many others attended the event.
Local photographer and entrepreneur Wes Wilson designed the floor. The maroon border shows the years of the old Williamson High School’s state championships. It also has the phrase “Where champions play.” The center court displays a new Wolf design while a maroon border surrounds the basketball court.
The floor was dubbed the “George Ritchie Court” a few years ago and his name is on the court. Ritchie served as coach of the Wolfpack from the 1960s until the mid-1970s.
“To have the opportunity to design a floor for such a legendary basketball venue means a whole lot, especially being someone who witnessed some incredible Wolfpack games here over the years,” Wilson said. “The Fieldhouse is a cathedral of basketball history and it’s so important we preserve it through continuous improvements such as the floor being refinished. It’s easily the most used and recognizable feature of the building. Now, the facility has a first-class playing surface that not only looks great but also gives athletes a safe floor to be on.”
The Fieldhouse was the home of the Williamson High School Wolfpack before consolidation gobbled up the school with three others to form Mingo Central.
Many great athletes played at the Fieldhouse, including many All-State picks, All-American selections and even future NBA greats Jerry West and Hal Greer.
The facility still hosts a few high school games, middle school games and tournaments, Buddy League games and other events.
Williamson Park Board President Steve Wilson shared his thoughts on the recent renovations to the Williamson Fieldhouse during the Dec. 2 celebration event.
“I arrived at this Dec. 2, 2024, celebration event both thankful and proud,” S. Wilson said. “I am thankful that we serve a community that supports our efforts to maintain and improve existing facilities like the Williamson Fieldhouse. The historical value of this building is truly unparalleled in Southern West Virginia. The Park Board realizes we still have much work to do and pledges to continue making improvements to this wonderful place.”
S. Wilson also praised the efforts of the Williamson Parks and Recreation Board.
“I’m proud of Williamson Parks and Recreation Board of ‘Difference Makers’ because this is our true identity. Our vision is our guide. We exist to create fun and safe places for families to play. Our executive director, Jarrod Dean, is a true visionary. His leadership and effort has been and will continue to be our ‘secret sauce’ of success.”
Reflecting on the event, Dean highlighted its significance for the community.
“Monday night was a momentous occasion for many people in Williamson and to those Williamson High School Alumni abroad,” Dean said. “We officially cut the ribbon on what I believe is one of Williamson Parks’ greatest achievements and that was the completion of our Historic Fieldhouse basketball court redesign by Wes Wilson. He has completed many floor designs but I have to say I believe this one tops all the others.”
Dean noted the role of First National Bank.
“Our partner on this project is First National Bank,” he said. “I cannot express enough gratitude I have for the board of directors and CEO Charlie McCoy for sticking with us on this project. It is a huge investment, but that investment goes into the investment of our community and the kids that will be playing on this floor for many years to come.”
Dean also acknowledged the many groups involved in the celebration. “Monday night brought together the Williamson Middle School Wolfpack, the Williamson High School Athletic Hall of Fame, our Mayor and City Council, designer Wes Wilson, and our Parks Commission Board. It was truly a team effort.”
S. Wilson expressed pride in his son, Wes Wilson, who designed the newly refinished basketball court.
“Am I proud of our son, Wes Wilson’s, artistic design of the newly refinished floor? Over the top proud of him for using his God-given gift to make his own very personal contribution to honoring our remarkable past and making Williamson better now and in the future,” S. Wilson stated. “I personally invite any reader of this article to visit the historic Fieldhouse and be prepared to be equally thrilled with the outcome.”
S. Wilson concluded with a message of optimism.
“I am thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to serve as president of Williamson Parks in a period of true reinvention, building belief and optimism that we can truly make our recreational facilities better than ever,” he said. “Stay tuned because we have a bright future, Williamson.”
The work on the floor was entirely sponsored by the First National Bank of Williamson.
(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)