About Us

East-West Stadium is positioned at the center of the Beltline area, hosting outdoor sporting and community events for nearly 70 years. In 2003 the Marion County Board of Education and superintendent Dr. Jim Phares—in partnership with the City of Fairmont, the Marion County Commission and local residents—initiated a three-phase East-West Stadium Renovation Project as a component of the Beltline Renovation Plan. This phased plan includes the installation and payment of synthetic turf (Phase I), stadium renovation (Phase II), and reconstruction of the adjacent 12th Street pool (Phase III). Initial budgeted projections were established at $2,045,000, with Phase II incorporating a 1,000 seat bleacher system, electrical upgrades, ADA and Life Safety improvements, new lighting, concession stands, rest rooms, and press box. Construction of the stadium’s concrete bleacher system occurred circa 1940 accommodating an approximate capacity of 6,000 spectators (i.e. 20 rows @ 415’ in length and seating width of 18”). The remaining wood bleachers (i.e. some are resurfaced with plastic covers) are rotting, and a majority of the concrete structure needs patching and repair work.

Through the decades East-West Stadium underwent amenity upgrades to include concession stands, public restrooms, team locker rooms, weight room, athletic training room, and press box additions. The adjacent pool closed in 1998 and is owned/maintained by the City of Fairmont

Stirred by the reality that natural turf could no longer meet the facility’s needs, the Marion County Board of Education in 2004 secured interim financing from six local financial institutions (i.e. WesBanco, First Exchange Bank, Fairmont Federal Credit Union, BB & T, Monongahela Valley Bank, and Huntington National Bank) for the lease-purchase and installation of Pro Grass (crushed rubber infill) at a cost of $575,000. The Pro Grass installed in July-August 2004 was lined for interscholastic football and soccer has a remaining debt service of approximately $370,000 payable on or before July 1, 2009. As a result of synthetic turf installation, EWS enjoys nearly a 400% increase in sport and recreational utilization among 4,000 student users. In February 2007 EWS will further expand usage, becoming a primary outdoor recreational facility for West Fairmont Middle School, a new $12,300,000 facility located in the heart of the Beltline neighborhood and two blocks from EWS.

The Phase I renovation of EWS and the construction of West Fairmont Middle School serve as anchor investments positioned at the pivot point of the Beltline Revitalization Plan. The long term objectives of this plan include:
1. Creating a vibrant, safe neighborhood for the Beltline area.
2. Development of recreational resources for community engagement.
3. Creating positive economic impacts and cross-marketing opportunities.

In addition, the blueprint for the Beltline Revitalization Plan includes the following long term strategic asset objectives:
1. Transformation of the aging housing stock.
2. Construction of new housing stock.
3. Integration of the Rail Trail System (i.e. further developing the existing Rail Trail system on the Monongahela River and connecting downtown Fairmont to the High Tech Corridor, Marion County and beyond).
4. Brownfield redevelopment for the purpose of producing parks, green spaces and practice fields. Fairmont-Marion County and East-West Stadium are heralded as the cradle of coaches and champions. Hometown to Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton and NAIA Hall of Fame coaching greats “Deacon” Duvall and Joe Retton, EWS nurtured the football pedigrees of NFL Hall of Fame inductees Sam Huff and “Gunner Gatski, College Football Hall of Fame inductees John McKay (USC) and Fielding Yost (University of Michigan), head football coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide Nick Saban (formerly coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins and former Louisiana State University head coach where he led the Tigers to the 2003 BCS National Championship) and 2006 Sugar Bowl champion head coach Rich Rodriguez (WVU).