Ranson Civic Center gets a facelift

The Ranson Civic Center underwent a complete facelift, including new floors, walls and heating and air conditioning systems. Youth enjoyed open gym time on Saturday. Photo by Toni Milbourne.
RANSON — Ranson officials welcomed members of the community into the newly-renovated Ranson Civic Center last Saturday. Over the past few months, the facility has received upgrades, including the long-awaited addition of central heating and air conditioning systems to the building.
According to Ranson Parks and Recreation Director Terri Burhans, in addition to the heat and air, the facility also installed new flooring, wall panels, paint and LED lighting. Much of the work, she said, was completed by the Public Works Department of Ranson, and was all funded by the generosity of Ranson city officials.
“The heat and air conditioning will make a huge difference on the use of the building,” Burhans said, mentioning the system will make the building comfortable for use throughout the year.
The center was acquired in 2009, after several years of negotiations with Maytag Corporation in which the city agreed to renovate the building — formerly a paint shop for a soft drink machine manufacturer in the 1980s. Steps were taken by the City of Ranson in 2009 and 2010 to turn the 40,000 square-foot building into one that could host athletic events, social functions and trade shows.
Burhans said city officials and staff members enjoyed a special luncheon, ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event on Friday, prior to the public open house. Sponsored by the Parks and Recreation and the Ranson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the open houses for the staff and the public allowed the city to show off what is fast becoming an asset to the community.
“Our open house today is a way to introduce people to the space and have them celebrate with us,” Burhans said, mentioning she hopes to see the building being used for athletic tournaments, trade shows and other large events.
The open house offered craft centers for children, as well as open gym time for individuals to play basketball or walk around the large gym. In addition, the Ranson Police Department was on hand to offer car seat safety checks and instructions for correctly installing the seats. The Jefferson County Council on Aging, which often works with the center to offer recreational use of the space for senior citizens, also had an informational booth at the event.
According to Burhans, the center plans to offer a new program, Walk Ranson, in which her department will partner with WVU Health to encourage walking in the center. Opening in November, the program will allow walkers inside the center several days a week.
“More details are coming on this program,” Burhans said. “But, we’re very excited about it.”
Other programs planned to be offered at the center include aerial dance classes with New Hopewell Dance, and the center’s youth basketball league for ages 4-17, which is currently accepting applications.
For more information about the Ranson Civic Center, contact Burhans at tburhans@ransonv.us or at 304-725-2437.