The Waterfront Place Hotel has initiated an investment of more than $30 million into the construction of the adjoining Morgantown Event Center and upgrades at the hotel facility, according to Dan Watts, General Manager of the Waterfront Place Hotel.

The Morgantown Event Center is currently under construction in the burgeoning Wharf District, adjacent to the Waterfront Place Hotel. Opening in the spring of 2010, the Morgantown Event Center will offer more than 30,000 square feet of meeting, convention, banquet, tradeshow and entertainment space. Once completed, the facility will be the second largest such conference facility in West Virginia.

“Anticipation for the completion of the Morgantown Event Center is growing throughout the region,” said Watts. “Our Sales team has already confirmed events for the facility through August, 2010 and we are working on additional reservations for a variety of groups and events. It is very exciting.”

The architectural layout for the Morgantown Event Center will feature an open-space design, complimented by a high ceiling providing ideal acoustics. The Center will include state-of-the-art lighting, sound reinforcement, design and audio-visual support with flexible seating arrangements which will be tailored to group specifications. The multi-use facility will be able to host a variety of events including banquets, exhibits and concerts, lectures and other special events.

At the adjacent Waterfront Place Hotel, significant cosmetic investments and upgrades in bed linens, bedding and room amenities, have been made since April and are expected to be completed by the end of first quarter 2010.

“The Waterfront Place Hotel is quickly securing its position as the premier hotel property in Northern West Virginia,” Watts said. “In addition to our great staff, the impression we give is directly tied to the guest experience in our rooms, so we must stay ahead of industry trends and always keep our guests’ comfort in mind. When a property declines, the clientele suffers.”

Additional guest room upgrades will include 42” plasma HDTVs, ergonomic desks, new window treatments, as well as upgraded carpet.

The Waterfront Place Hotel and the Morgantown Event Center are pivotal investments in the City of Morgantown’s Wharf District. Opened in 2003, the 205-room Waterfront Place Hotel is situated overlooking the Monongahela River a short distance from West Virginia University.