Construction on Access II’s Accessible Fitness Center begins; BTC Bank and Gallatin Rotary provide grants

Funds for the more than $750,000 Access II community building have been secured and construction on the 10,000-foot building at 101 Industrial Parkway on Hwy 6 west of Gallatin is underway.
Access II Independent Living Center has reached an agreement with locally owned Timberwolf Construction, on plans for the accessible Community Wellness Center. Timberwolf Construction will be working with other local contractors including Finley Construction, Bottorff Construction, 5 Star Construction, and Nelson Heating and Cooling.
The non-profit organization broke ground in June and the building has been estimated to be completed in the summer of 2021.
COVID-19 and rain have delayed construction timelines, but things are still moving forward. The building will serve as a community fitness center and a community room open to everyone.
Access II is funding 100% of the building costs from money saved over several years that had been earmarked for a large community project. The idea for that project evolved over time into a Health and Wellness Center with a community center on one side. Access II was going to use the saved money to fund fitness equipment, furnishings, and “phase 2” of construction, which would have been a walking trail, accessible playground etc.
“Since we did not get the grants and donations we hoped for, we are using the money we saved to fund the building rather than the additional outdoor aspects we hoped to include,” says Jessica Adkins, Marketing and Development Director. “This means that Phase 2 construction, including the walking trail/playground will not be happening unless we come up with funding from somewhere.”
Access II is now working on fundraising, including applying for local and national grants to help fund exercise equipment for the center.
BTC bank in Gallatin has committed to providing Access II with $15,000 towards the purchase of fitness equipment for the center. The funds will be dispersed in increments of $3,000 over the next five years. Gallatin Rotary Club has also assisted Access II in providing a grant through the Kimbrough Challenge and a club match totaling approximately $10,000 that will go toward furnishing tables, chairs, and other items for the community space. CAPNCM, in Trenton has also contributed $500 toward the project.
“We are so thankful to have the support of the community in bringing these services and opportunities to our area,” says Adkins. “When we have the financial backing and support from our local community it helps us secure funding from national, and regional sources.”
Access II says they are still seeking donations from local businesses, organizations, and community members to finish purchasing fitness equipment and additional items for the center.
“This project is so important to us because it will create more opportunities for our community, especially for people with physical disabilities, who are so often overlooked in planning and design,” says Adkins. “Although the initial hurdle of funding the building is complete, we are not there yet.”
Access II says they still need to raise about $95,000 to finish purchasing equipment, furniture, software, and other necessary items for the Health and Wellness Center. Each piece of commercial equipment typically ranges between five and 10 thousand dollars.
The facility will be built on property already owned by Access II ILC, inside the Industrial Park located off Highway 6 in Gallatin. The 10,000 square foot facility will be open to the public and will serve two main functions. One side of the facility will be a fully accessible fitness center with 24-hour key fob access. Community members will have the option to purchase memberships for a monthly fee and some may qualify for memberships on a sliding scale.
The design of the facility and the equipment inside will allow for people with, and those without disabilities, to work toward their fitness and rehabilitation goals. This will be the only public fitness center of its kind in the area where a person who uses a wheelchair or assistive device will have access to this type of equipment.
The Wellness Center will also house a large community room with a fully accessible kitchen, bathroom, and shower. Tables and chairs and will be available to public and private groups, community classes, and events. Plans for the facility also include classrooms, accessible men’s and women’s locker rooms, showers, and changing areas. Additional uses for the facility include operating as a cooling and heating center during extreme temperatures, as well as a post-disaster emergency shelter if the need arises.
Access II will also open the facility to anyone who is needing to take a shower who does not have access to do so at home due to their disability.
Access II ILC is a not for profit organization that provides disabilities services to eight counties in Northwest Missouri. All donations to the project are tax deductible.