Salem releases renderings for $27.5 million sports complex renovation; more . . .

Here’s a round-up of briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.

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Salem releases renderings for Moyer Sports Complex renovation

Salem this week broke ground for a $27.5 million renovation of the Moyer Sports Complex.

The project will include a four-diamond facility plus pickleball courts, a new skatepark, a playground with special needs accessibility, additional parking, and other features.

“This renovation and community project will enable The Moyer to remain one of the top sports complexes on the East Coast,” said John Shaner, Salem Parks and Recreation Director, in a statement. “The upgrades to the complex will keep us very competitive when it comes to bidding on national tournaments and other events that help drive the economy in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region.” 

The 22-acre complex opened in April of 1992, and it annually hosts a variety of events ranging from youth softball and baseball tournaments to NCAA women’s national softball championships. The Moyer is typically in use an average of 230 days a year with a yearly attendance of approximately 250,000 guests.  

“The competition for events wasn’t as fierce 30 years ago as it is today,” Shaner said in the statement. “Our goal is to maintain our sports marketing reputation and make sure the state of Virginia remains a top destination for tournaments and athletics.” 

The renovations are being funded by a combination of city cash and a $15 million bond. The work is being done by Salem-based G&H Contracting with a tentative completion date of early 2024. 

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Roanoke County to hold community meeting Thursday on U.S. 460 land use plan

Roanoke County is hosting a third community meeting for the Route 460 Land Use and  Connectivity Study from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Bonsack Elementary School. A presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Roanoke County staff and consultants will be available after the presentation to answer questions in an open house-style format. At this meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to hear how the proposed transportation and future land use recommendations have changed based upon feedback collected in May 2022. All meeting materials are available at www.roanokecountyva.gov/460Study. A survey is open until Oct. 7 for those who wish to provide comments on the updated recommendations.  

The Route 460 Land Use and Connectivity Study began in fall 2021 with the following goals: 

1. Recommend ways to travel around the Bonsack community that are alternatives to U.S. 460/Challenger Avenue; 

2. Consider existing zoning classifications and future land-use designations to determine potential changes to match desired development types; and 

3. Examine existing at-grade railroad crossings for potential improvements that may create development opportunities between the railroad and the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

The first community meeting was held Jan. 13 at Bonsack Elementary School. Over 40 area  residents, property owners and business owners attended this meeting. County staff, consultants from Timmons Group and Virginia Department of Transportation representatives reviewed aerial images of the study area with meeting  participants and discussed a variety of topics including funded transportation projects on U.S. 460, roadways that can be improved, potential areas for development as well as possibilities for future greenway and trail connections. Over 200 surveys were completed in January. 

The second community meeting was held May 18 at Bonsack Elementary School. Almost 100  people attended this meeting and discussions focused primarily around potential roadway connections and  alignments. A total of 140 survey responses were collected in May. 

Please visit www.RoanokeCountyVA.gov/460Study to learn more about the study. Contact Megan Cronise, assistant director of planning, with questions at  mcronise@roanokecountyva.gov or 540-772-2106.  

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Drive-through flu shots in Dublin on Oct. 4

The New River Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a special drive-through dispensing clinic from noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the NRV Fairgrounds, 5581 Fair Grounds Circle, Dublin.

Vaccines will be available free on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to wear clothing that is loose around the arm so that a public health nurse can administer the flu shot in the upper arm, without having to leave the comfort and convenience of your car.

It is especially important to get a shot this year because COVID-19 is still circulating, and getting infected with both flu and COVID can increase the severity of illness, the health department said in a statement. Based on data from the southern hemisphere, health officials expect this to be a more severe flu season than we have had the past few years.

Anyone 6 months or older should be vaccinated against influenza each year, the health department said.

For more information, call the New River Health District at 540-585-3300 or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/flu/. 

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