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Jefferson City Special Olympics Training Facility Nearing Fundraising Goal

Missouri Department of Tourism
/
Missouri Department of Tourism
Jefferson City aerial shot

After twelve years of planning, a one-of-a-kind Special Olympics training facility in Jefferson City is nearing its fundraising goal.

The Training for Life Campus, which spans 34,000 square feet and sits on 16 acres of land, would be the biggest facility of its kind. So far Missouri Special Olympics has raised $17 million and 94 percent of the original fundraising goal. The campaign is still working to raise $1.5 million to fund an outdoor portion of the complex which will include a football field and track and softball fields, among other outdoor activities.

Missouri Special Olympics public relations manager and volunteer coordinator Harrison Mclean said the facility, which will include multiple sports courts, a health and fitness center, a “Hall of Heroes” and new offices, will give the athletes an opportunity to try new sports and find what they are passionate about

The fundraising campaign has partnered with Centene Charitable Foundation with the hopes of raising the final 6% before December 15th. The foundation has offered to match donations up to $700,000.

Mclean said the facility should excite athletes across the state and the midwest.

“We do have over 15,000 athletes within Missouri, so we’re kind of marketing toward all of them to have a place to call home and a place to train,” Mclean said.

The facility is now under construction and hopes to open its doors to athletes in the fall 2018.