According to WDTV, an $11.6 million event and conference center is set to open next thisin downtown Elkins, bringing the largest dedicated event venue in the region to Randolph County.
The Railyard Event & Conference Center, managed by Taylor Hospitality, is set to open in mid-July 2026 at 50 Roundhouse Way, on the historic roundhouse site. The 28,000-square-foot facility is designed to host conferences, weddings, live entertainment, expos, and community gatherings.
The venue includes a 9,374-square-foot conference center, banquet space for up to 588 guests, a performance theater, and flexible gathering areas.
“This venue was built to do something West Virginia hasn’t had in this part of the state — host major events at a level that competes with anywhere in the region, without losing what makes Elkins feel like home,” said Shane Jones, General Manager of The Railyard.
The opening will happen in phases. The conference center, food and beverage service, and pre-function spaces are expected to open first, with theater fixtures and equipment following in the weeks after. A formal grand opening will be announced once all spaces are ready.
“What’s opening this summer is more than a building — it’s an economic engine for Randolph County, a draw for visitors who haven’t had a reason to stop in Elkins before, and a stage for the businesses and events that will define our downtown for the next generation,” said Robbie Morris, Director of the Randolph County Development Authority. “Bookings are already on the calendar across both the conference and theater sides, and once we’re fully open, the momentum is going to build quickly.”
The Railyard will also serve as the new home of Ascend West Virginia, the state’s remote-worker initiative. The venue sits steps from the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Mountain Rail excursions, and downtown shops and restaurants, surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny Highlands.
This summer, the venue’s performance theater will debut two original in-house productions — The Mainline Show and Echoes of Icons. Ticket and programming details will be released in the coming weeks.
Editor’s Note: Architectural rendering courtesy of The Thrasher Group.
