Athletic Site Improvements

Help Shape the Future of Recreation in Blacksburg

Blacksburg’s athletic facilities play an essential role in supporting youth sports, school teams, adult leagues, and community recreation. In recent community feedback, residents expressed a strong desire for improved fields, better lighting, upgraded amenities, and expanded opportunities for year‑round play.

To address these needs, the Town is evaluating potential improvements at two key locations:

• Winfrey Fields (Winfrey/Kipps) Site Map
• Old Blacksburg High School (OBHS) Site Map

These upgrades are being considered as part of the Town’s 2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Because funding is limited, we need your help identifying which projects should be prioritized.

What This Project Includes:

Citizens can review potential upgrades in the four key topic areas below. These upgrades list improvements to the current infrastructure at each location and include possibilities for future expansion at each location.

Your input will help determine where investments are most needed to support safe, functional, and accessible recreation for all users.

1. Baseball & Softball Fields – field‑surface improvements, turf upgrades, and lighting upgrades.
2. Soccer Fields – field‑surface improvements, turf upgrades, and lighting upgrades supporting soccer (current use) and future possible multipurpose uses such as football, lacrosse, rugby, and other activities
3. Spectator Amenities – bleachers, shade, scoreboards, restrooms (OBHS), and concession facilities (Winfrey)
4. OBHS Site Infrastructure – one-mile walking path, resurfaced running track, pickleball court lighting, and additional parking

Provide Your Input:

To capture a complete picture of community needs, this project includes two engagement exercises. These exercises will be available from September 1 to October 1, 2026.

• For your results to be counted, please complete both exercises.
• Allow approximately 15 minutes to complete both exercises.
• Before beginning these exercises, view the site maps linked above to familiarize yourself with the site layout and current infrastructure at each location.

1. Budget Exercise

First, use this interactive tool to review proposed projects including upgrades to baseball/softball fields, soccer/multipurpose fields, spectator amenities, and OBHS site infrastructure, and assign a total of 100 budget units to the improvements you think should come first. These 100 points represent future funding dollars: $10 million (1 point is approximately worth $100,000 per item, as identified in the project estimate) that will be allocated to this project in the 2027 CIP. The earliest possible start date is July 1, 2027.

2. Facility Use & General Priorities Survey

Second, take this brief survey to tell us how you and your household use Blacksburg’s athletic complexes and what recreation needs matter most to you. Your responses help us understand current participation, activity types, and general priorities for future improvements.

Your participation in both exercises will help guide Town staff and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board as they prepare recommendations for future investments that best serve the community. Thank you!