A groundbreaking Adaptive Sports Complex recently opened in South St. Louis County, Missouri, thanks to a collaborative effort between the St. Louis Cardinals’ charitable foundation Cardinals Care, Gateway Region YMCA, Boniface Foundation and Miracle League.
KAI, a leading architecture, engineering, and construction firm, played a crucial role in bringing this unique project to life by providing architecture, MEP engineering, and project management services.
The $5.5 million South County YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex is the first of its kind in Missouri and one of only 46 in the United States. This state-of-the-art complex offers children with disabilities the opportunity to experience the joys and benefits of playing sports in an inclusive environment.
At the heart of the complex lies a custom-designed Miracle League baseball field featuring a cushioned, barrier-free surface and accessible dugouts to accommodate players of all abilities. The field captures the essence of Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, complete with a silhouette of the iconic Gateway Arch in the outfield.
The field was officially dedicated Paul Goldschmidt Field on June 25, honoring the St. Louis Cardinals’ MVP first baseman. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured several notable presenters, including St. Louis Cardinals play-by-play broadcaster John Rooney, Gateway Region YMCA Board Chairman Jon Rosenstengel, Boniface Foundation Board Chairman Win Reed, St. Louis Cardinals President Bill Dewitt III, and Cardinals First Baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
Beyond the baseball field, the complex boasts a soccer field, running track, outdoor fitness area, playground, office space, concession building, covered pavilion, family-style restrooms, and parking – all designed with accessibility as a top priority. St. Louis-based Musick Construction served as the general contractor, with P.D.S. Landscaping and Construction contributing to the project.
