ELKINS, W.Va. — June 15, 2026 — The Railyard Event & Conference Center, an $11.6 million, 28,000-square-foot venue rising on the historic roundhouse site in downtown Elkins, is preparing to open its doors in mid-July 2026. The opening will mark one of the most significant additions to West Virginia’s hospitality and conference landscape in years, positioning Randolph County as a destination for conventions, weddings, signature entertainment, and community gatherings drawn from across the region and beyond. Located at 50 Roundhouse Way and managed by Taylor Hospitality, The Railyard combines a 9,374-square-foot conference center with banquet capacity for 588 guests, a professional-grade performance theater, and flexible pre-function and gathering spaces. The venue is purpose-built to host everything from large-scale conferences and corporate retreats to weddings, expos, dinner shows, comedy nights, live theater, and community celebrations.
“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 Event & Conference Center. “Every decision we’ve made has been about giving guests a hospitality experience they’ll talk about long after they leave. We’re excited to welcome our first events and our first audiences.”
The opening will be staged in phases. The conference center, food and beverage service, and pre-function spaces are expected to be operational first in July, with final installation of theater fixtures and equipment continuing in the weeks that follow. A formal grand opening celebration will be announced once all venue spaces are online. “What sets this building apart isn’t just the size, it’s the flexibility behind it,” said Gregg Krepps, Vice President of Hospitality for Taylor Hospitality. “We can turn the same footprint that hosts a 40-person executive meeting on Tuesday into a 500-guest reception on Saturday and a sold-out theater performance on Sunday. Advanced AV, configurable layouts, on-site culinary, and a team trained to anticipate every detail — that’s what allows us to deliver events at this scale and still make them feel personal.”
The Railyard represents a milestone for downtown Elkins and the broader Randolph County economy, with hiring now underway across the venue. To fill remaining roles across hospitality, food and beverage, event services, and operations, Taylor Hospitality encourages prospective candidates to visit taylorhospitality.com/careers. “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.”
Beyond its event capabilities, The Railyard also serves as the new home of Ascend West Virginia, the state’s remote-worker initiative helping newcomers make West Virginia their permanent home. Steps from the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Mountain Rail excursions, and the walkable shops and restaurants of downtown Elkins, the venue sits at the intersection of heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, and economic innovation, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny Highlands.
Beginning this summer, guests will also have the opportunity to experience two all-new in-house productions — The Mainline Show and Echoes of Icons — staged in the venue’s performance theater. Ticket information, programming details, and additional event announcements will be released in the coming weeks.
For event inquiries, venue tours, and booking information, visit therailyardwv.com or contact sales.railyard@taylorhospitality.com.