Deadline extended for Training for Life fundraising goal

An initial deadline of April 15 to raise the needed funds for a new Training for Life campus in Jefferson City has been extended another six weeks.

In early 2015, SOMO officials announced the planned Training for Life campus project had been awarded to Jefferson City over a competing bid from Columbia. The proposal, submitted by the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, included 15.5 acres near U.S. 54 and Missouri 179 donated by Land Investments, which is run by Bud Farmer, Mike Farmer and Frank Twehous.

The organization has been trying to raise $15.8 million, which includes the roughly $3.3 million value of the land donation, to construct the campus. Last year, the organization received a challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, that originally stated if SOMO was able to complete its fundraising by April 15, the foundation would award it $1 million.

Gary Wilbers, capital campaign chair, said Monday that SOMO had not reached its goal, but the Mabee Foundation has extended its deadline to May 27.

“The Mabee Foundation was excited and had confidence in us,” Wilbers said. “We’re definitely excited, very gracious and happy that they provided that extension to us.”

Wilbers said SOMO had hit 88 percent of its fundraising goal and hoped to complete it by the new foundation deadline. Wilbers noted the previous deadline was a bit tougher as it was also recognized as tax day, which may have caused some potential donors to hold off on contributions.

“That wasn’t the greatest day,” Wilbers said. “We’re working our tails off to be able to hit the goal.”

Once the fundraising goal is met, a construction timeline for the facility will be set, but it is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

SOMO’s website for the planned campus also highlights its economic impact on the area, stating the “estimated economic impact from tourism by athletes alone is expected to be between $227,124 and $378,541 in the first year of operation. In addition, one coach or chaperone usually accompanies every four athletes.”

SOMO hopes to have 30 camps in the first year but would like to increase that amount in future years.

There also will be an increase in jobs at the campus as the central area office in Columbia will close and relocate to Jefferson City’s location. Including the existing jobs at the current headquarters in Jefferson City, the campus will have 30 permanent jobs.

Anyone interested in donating to the SOMO Training for Life campus or learning more about the project can visit somocampus.org.