March 15, 2011--TRIANGLE, Va. -- With its metallic spire gleaming above the trees near Interstate 95, the National Museum of the Marine Corps has become a tourist mecca in the short time it's been there.

Soon, those tourists will have another place to stay in Prince William County. The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation has announced its plan to expand the museum with a new hotel and conference center, which will be located on 10 acres adjacent to the current facility.

According to Prince William County Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan, R-Dumfries, the hotel will feature corporate meeting space, a full service restaurant, an indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center and gift shop.

"The development of this new facility is a tremendous step forward in completing our vision for the Marine Corps Heritage Center as a complex dedicated to the service of Marines," said Lt. Gen. Ron Christmas, the Foundation President & CEO, in a press release made public by Caddigan during Tuesday's board meeting.

"The addition of a hotel and conference center adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps is welcome news," Caddigan said. "It will satisfy the needs of the thousands of visitors to the museum and other area historical sites as well as providing a much needed local venue for conferences and events."

According to the release, the Foundation will be responsible for overseeing the construction, operation and maintenance of the hotel. The developer for this project has yet to be determined.

More than 1.7 million people have visited the museum since it opened in November of 2006, according to the museum's website.

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