Wood County Resiliency Center Director Sydney Weber appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to give an update on bookings and use for the center. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — People are continuing to book and use the Wood County Resiliency Center as its director gave county officials an update.

Resiliency Center Director Sydney Weber appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to give an update on bookings and use for the center.

“We have 55 meetings and events so far for this year,” she said. “I am hoping to get to 100 this year.”

There are already eight events booked for the facility for 2026.

The center has hosted around 26 events and gatherings since Dec. 15, Weber said of groups like WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, Mother Earth Foods, Workforce West Virginia, the West Virginia First Foundation, the Jump Start graduation, a court proceeding and others. Upcoming events include the Mid-Ohio Valley Chamber of Commerce, Crisis Intervention Stakeholders, the Amputee Center, a possible tech show, a wedding and more.

Wood County Resiliency Center Director Sydney Weber talked Monday to the Wood County Commission about the uses of the center and how it is being utilized. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

The events have utilized the full facility; half the ballroom: the full ballroom; the small, medium and large boardrooms depending on the needs of the client.

Weber has been in contact with local development officials as well as the state Department of Tourism to see about the possibility of doing conferences here.

“I think we would be a perfect fit for that,” she said.

She is seeking contacts for many professional associations to reach out and let them know the Resiliency Center would be available for conferences and other events/meetings.

Many bids that go out for large conferences for 2025 were already done in 2024, Weber said.

“Something we are really focusing on is getting those bids in for 2026,” she said. “You usually plan a year in advance for that kind of thing.”

People and organizations continually inquire about the facility and are interested in taking tours to see what is available.

Weber said one concern has been parking. They have had to prevent people from parking in the Fiscal Service parking lots on weekdays during working hours. After hours and weekends, it hasn’t been an issue.

Weber asked for signage that can help direct people on where to park and where not to park.

Commission President Blair Couch said officials are hopeful they will be able to have the old Sheriff’s Department/Wood County Maintenance building at the corner of Second and Avery streets torn down “soon” so additional parking can be created for the Resiliency Center. Officials made reference to a wedding event for 400 people that is scheduled for October.

Weber said they are working on marketing materials for the center and they are planning to have a website for the center up and running by late summer or early fall.

Officials had concerns about people bringing in animals that were not certified service animals. They wanted something listed on the website and at the center highlighting that.

Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said people are bringing animals into a number of businesses claiming they are service animals when they are not. Couch said people can purchase “support animal” vests through online retailers without any kind of certification.

He wanted to be sure qualified service animals are allowed, but not have something where anyone can bring in their pet.

Couch said they are continually looking at uses for the center. Every elected official has an association they are involved with and they can get contacts Weber can get in touch with.

Weber said the response to the center has been great.

“They love it,” she said. “They are blown away that something like that is in our community.

“Everyone who walks through is just so impressed and pleased with what we have to offer.”

In other business, the commission approved the hiring of Robin Mowery as a full-time maintenance employee.

The commission will set the county’s levy rate at 9 a.m. today in chambers at the Wood County Courthouse.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com