Zach Prince from the Greenville Triumph & Liberty and Rivers Hughes from Hughes Investments discussed the impact of Upstate professional soccer and the new stadium at BridgeWay Station on the Upstate. The Resource Update was presented by Marie MacDonald from Girls on the Run.
BridgeWay Station
- Creating a “Downtown” for Mauldin: Rivers Hughes shared the 30-year history of transforming raw farm acreage into a dense, walkable, European-inspired main street hub.
- Stadium Expansion: Phase 1 opened to massive success in 2023. Phase 2 construction will conclude in early Spring 2027, adding permanent suites, upgraded concessions, professional locker rooms, and enhanced restrooms.
- Economic Footprint: The public-private partnership with the City of Mauldin is driving extensive foot traffic, including recent single-match watch parties drawing upward of 8,000 community members.
Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty
- New Designated Venue: The organization recently transitioned to its brand new home, GE Vernova Park at Bridgeway Station. Prince shared how having a permanent soccer-first layout has created an electric atmosphere and deep sense of ownership among international and local players alike. The dedicated venue has vastly improved regional visibility and fostered a strong sense of pride and “home-field ownership” among the international roster.
- Public-Private Infrastructure Success: Rivers Hughes from Hughes Investments detailed the long-term strategic vision behind Bridgeway Station in Mauldin, SC. The walkable main street density project was successfully delivered in 2023 through unified municipal cooperation to build an active core for entertainment, shopping, dining, and workspace.
- Upcoming Infrastructure Expansion: Phase 2 of the stadium buildout is slated to arrive online in early Spring 2027, introducing additional hospitality suites, lockers, and multi-use concessions.
- Upcoming Highlights:
- STEM Day Game: On Wednesday, September 16th at 11:00 AM, the stadium will host 4,300 Greenville County students for a highly coordinated logistical field-trip event.
- SOMOS Night (September 12): A special match celebrating the Upstate’s rapidly growing Hispanic and Colombian populations.
- The Women’s League (Greenville Liberty): Transitioning into the pre-professional W-League in 2027 to capture high-end collegiate talent from major programs (Clemson, USC, Florida State, Tennessee).
🏃♀️ Community Spotlight: Girls on the Run Upstate
Marie McDonald presented the localized prevention work being achieved across an 8-county Upstate footprint, serving 3rd through 8th-grade girls.
- Curriculum & Core Stats: 97% of program participants reported learning critical, life-altering skills (conflict resolution, avoiding bullying, setting healthy boundaries).
- Bridgeway Station Partnership: Girls on the Run is hosting its major Fall 5K Celebration at Bridgeway Station. The non-competitive community event is projected to bring out 1,200 to 1,500 participants and volunteers.
- Call to Action: The chapter is actively looking for new school sites, volunteer coaches for the spring semester, and corporate partners to fund scholarship shoes and apparel via their Adidas alliance.