Gateway Launches Raffle to Fund Ronceverte Mini Golf Course.

Ronceverte, WV – July 1, 2025, A new community-driven fundraising initiative, called “Queen of Hearts,” has officially launched to support the development of Gateway’s planned 18-hole mini golf course at Ronceverte Island Park. The campaign is designed to raise essential funds for what is expected to be a major recreational and tourism enhancement for the region.

The “Queen of Hearts” fundraiser follows a raffle-style model that combines chance with community participation. Participants purchase tickets in hopes of selecting the Queen of Hearts from a standard deck of playing cards. Each week, one card is drawn:

• If the Queen of Hearts is drawn, the ticket holder wins the jackpot.
• If not, the prize money rolls over to the following week, increasing the jackpot and prolonging engagement.
• Weekly drawings continue until the Queen of Hearts is found.

This model has proven successful in other communities for sustaining long-term interest and steadily building a prize fund, while also contributing significantly to the cause at hand.

Gateway’s proposed mini golf course will be built along the Greenbrier River at Ronceverte Island Park. The project has been in the planning stages for over a year and reflects the organization’s broader goals to improve outdoor recreational opportunities and foster community engagement.

Once completed, the 18-hole course is expected to attract both local families and visitors, providing an affordable, family-friendly activity set against the backdrop of the scenic riverfront. Organizers believe the course will encourage increased foot traffic to the park and support the town’s broader economic and tourism development efforts.

Tickets for the Queen of Hearts drawing will be available for purchase at various local businesses and community events. Details regarding ticket prices, draw dates, and sales locations will be announced soon by Gateway representatives.

Community members are encouraged to support the fundraiser by purchasing tickets and sharing information about the event. In addition to helping fund a major recreational project, participants have the chance to win growing weekly jackpots.

Gateway’s leadership sees the mini golf course as more than just a fun addition to the park. It represents a long-term investment in the health, well-being, and connectedness of the local community. The organization believes the project will strengthen the identity of Ronceverte Island Park as a vibrant hub for family activity and community pride.

The fundraiser also underscores a growing trend in small towns across West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region: building community infrastructure through grassroots support and creative funding models.

Gateway has not yet released a definitive timeline for when construction on the mini golf course will begin, but officials hope to break ground later this year. The speed of the project’s progress will depend largely on the success of fundraising efforts like the Queen of Hearts campaign.
For updates, residents are encouraged to follow Gateway’s social media channels and visit their website.