In addition to outdoor and indoor athletics, the center includes educational rooms, climbing and a bowling alley.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Almost two years after the Louisville Urban League laid the foundation stone for a huge multisport complex, the crews are putting the finishing touches to the 200-meter indoor track in preparation for its first event.
The long-awaited 25 acre sports and learning complex from Norton Healthcare is ready for its debut on Wednesday and is hosting a track meet at the University of Louisville.
“The sense of achievement is overwhelming,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, CEO of the Louisville Urban League. “To believe that the Urban League could raise funds in this community under these conditions.”
After Reynolds announced plans to redevelop a prime property in West Louisville, he gave an initial glimpse into the complex, which will be more than just athletics.
In addition to outdoor and indoor athletics, the center includes educational rooms, a media control room for sporting events, a climbing wall, a test booth for athletes and even a bowling alley. Indoor athletics can also become a concert venue.
“I don’t know if the West End residents even imagined they’d have a miniature bowling alley or an interactive climbing wall,” Reynolds said.
Over 22 months, Reynolds said her team raised $ 43 million to help make their vision a reality.
“It is powerful to be able to do this,” said Reynolds. “I think it says a lot about us as a city, a lot about us as an organization, and I’m proud and the teamwork there has so many people who have helped.”
In addition to contributions from Norton Healthcare, Thorntons has also partnered with the Urban League to set up a nonprofit storefront on the complex. Thorntons will pay the bill for building the supermarket and operate it to give back to the West End.
Reynolds said the support had been overwhelming – so much so that the center was fully booked by March.
“There wasn’t really any significant investment that would bring disposable income into that part of the community that would help with property values and all of that [to] People who live here … I mean there is excitement, “Reynolds said.
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