Photo provided The Fitzsimmons Foundation recently announced a $1 million gift to the Oglebay Foundation for development of an Oglebay Sports Center. Pictured are, from left, Kayleen Fitzsimmons Clough, Rocky Fitsimmons, Sunni Fitzsimmons, Bob Fitzsimmons and Clayton Fitzsimmons.

WHEELING — A $1 million leadership gift from the Fitzsimmons Foundation will allow a new initiative at Oglebay Park Resort — The Oglebay Sports Center — to hit the ground running.

The Oglebay Sports Center’s early plans feature a flexible complex featuring indoor and outdoor spaces tailored for a wide range of uses, from youth sports leagues and adult fitness programs to informal recreation and community gatherings. The goal is not simply to build a facility, but to cultivate a place where wellness and connection intersect.

“The new facility is intended to strengthen community bonds, enhance quality of life and position Oglebay as a regional leader in recreation and wellness,” said Oglebay Park Resort CEO Bob Peckenpaugh. “The Fitzsimmons Foundation gift will serve as the catalyst to help make this vision a reality.”

For the Fitzsimmons family, this gift, which will allow planning and design work to begin on the facility, is deeply personal.

“Our family is honored to support the transformative Oglebay Sports Center, which we believe will enhance quality of life in our community for generations to come,” said Clayton Fitzsimmons, a trial attorney with Fitzsimmons Law Firm PLLC. “Oglebay has long been integral to this community and to our own family’s lives, and we are proud to give back to a place that has meant so much to us.”

The Fitzsimmons Foundation gift also serves as a tribute to Greg McDermott and his ongoing leadership as chair of the Wheeling Park Commission, acknowledging his steady guidance, helping position the park system for continued growth.

Since its founding in 2007, the Fitzsimmons Foundation has invested more than $4 million in projects that strengthen the Ohio Valley, with a focus on education, mental health awareness, support for vulnerable populations and enhancement of community spaces. This latest gift continues that tradition by aligning philanthropy with long-term regional impact.

“Oglebay has provided my family with cherished memories throughout the years,” said Kayleen Fitzsimmons Clough. “It is a special part of the Wheeling community, bringing people together through its beauty and traditions. We hope this gift continues to inspire joy and connection for generations to come.”

The gift to the Oglebay Foundation is part of Forever Yours: The Campaign for an Enduring Oglebay, a comprehensive effort supporting transformational projects across the park system, including enhancements at Wheeling Park, the Oglebay Good Zoo, Wilson Lodge and programs and facilities throughout Oglebay Park Resort.

“Generations of the Fitzsimmons family have enjoyed all that our parks have to offer,” said Eriks Janelsins. “Their remarkable generosity reflects not only a love of Oglebay, but also a deep commitment to strengthening our community. Their visionary leadership gift helps ensure that Oglebay continues to grow in ways that enrich lives for generations to come.”

Additional details, including project scope and timeline, will be announced as planning progresses.