CHARLESTON, W.V. – On Monday, Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, alongside members of Charleston City Council and Chad Prather from Huntington Bank, opened the new multi-recreational space at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.
Upgrades include two basketball courts with additional lining for four pickleball courts, two tennis courts with additional lining for two pickleball courts, one tennis ball hitting wall, one small futsal court and updated walkways and lighting.
“Recreational opportunities for our residents and visitors are paramount to providing spaces for exercise and physical fitness, while also being safe and fun,” said Mayor Goodwin. “Our thanks to Huntington Bank and the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation for partnering with the City on this project.”
“As Vice Chair of the Parks & Recreation Committee, I am happy to see more courts being added to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center,” said Councilman Bruce King. “These courts will be used by adults and our youth to have fun and participate in competition.”
The funding for this multi-recreational space came partially from Huntington Bank. The $60,000 donation was presented to Mayor Goodwin in February 2019 by Chad Prather, president of Huntington Bank in West Virginia. The charitable donation was received through the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation for The City of Charleston to facilitate this project.
“The enhanced outdoor recreational space at the MLK Center will improve access to the outdoors for people that might not have easy access to parks and recreational places. In this time of social distancing, when fresh air is most needed, it’s important for kids and families to enjoy the benefits of being outside,” said Chad Prather, Regional President of Huntington.
“Providing safe areas to recreate and to create memories is essential to building a healthy, vibrant community. Huntington is proud to partner with the City of Charleston and the Great Kanawha Valley Foundation to invest in this critically important project to improve the quality of life for our friends and neighbors across our great city.”
