CUTLERVILLE, Mich. — Special Olympics Michigan unveiled a big milestone at its Unified Sports and Inclusion Center on Thursday.
The turf field at the campus was unveiled with the help of staff members and athletes, in what project leaders call a significant milestone in the construction process.
The center has been under construction since 2019 and the new space will offer the athletes a place of their own to train.
"For years, we have to go to other people's field, other people's soccer fields, other people's gyms, other people's areas," said Max Erhardt, one of the athletes. "Finally, we get to come here and call home."
Soon, the track and other sports facilities will be installed around the turf field as part of their outdoor construction phase.
While the campus won't be completely done by then, SOMI leaders aim for the facility to be open to athletes by September 19.
During the construction process, the project became near and dear to Rockford Construction Project Superintendent Jan Berthuis.
"I've heard of Special Olympics, but now I'm so involved, I've learned so much more about it and it's just a great organization. And I'm really, I'm honored," said Berthuis.
Berthuis told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that Athlete Max became very interested in construction, sparking a friendship between the two.
"I love working with [Jan] a lot," said Max. "He's fun, creative and he's a hard worker."
Berthuis said he took Max under his wing, teaching him about the process.
"I'm a teacher by heart, right?" said Berthuis. "So, I was able to kind of teach him as we're taking steps and going on. And he really took an interest in the process, how things go."
Now, with his knowledge from Berthuis, Max aspires to maintain the facility.
