Special Olympic athletes in South Dakota don’t currently have a specific training center, but must compete for gym time with other organizations in Sioux Falls. That will change soon as the South Dakota Special Olympics kicks off a nearly $2 million fundraising campaign to build the Unify Center. President Darryl Nordquist says the 16,000 square foot facility is the first of its kind. He says they plan to build the facility on land near the I-90-Cliff Avenue corridor that was donated with the goal to benefit disabled people.
“The main crux of the idea is the lack of training or practice space or even socializing space that our local delegations have encountered. This space will at least, in the area, be a space that can be used not just by Special Olympics for all-purpose facility, but also any other nonprofits that need this kind of space can utilize the facility,” Nordquist says.
Nordquist says the building will also facilitate training of coaches and other organizational members, plus provide free health screenings for Special Olympic athletes. He says the campaign has already raised almost half of its community appeal goal. The fundraising runs through July 21st.