GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The lighting of the Special Olympics torch signaled a new era for Special Olympics Michigan.
"It's the world's largest Special Olympics training facility, but it's so much more than that for our athletes as a place for inclusion, community, respect," said President and CEO of Special Olympics Michigan Tim Hileman.
The Unified Sports Inclusion Center, which officially opened up to Special Olympic Athletes Thursday morning, has two gymnasiums, kitchens, classrooms and an outdoor sports complex.
13 ON YOUR SIDE's Juliet Dragos, also the former Special Olympics Board Chair, helped lead the ceremony, welcoming the hundreds of athletes who had the first look at their new home.
Katie VanOverien, an athlete who has been heavily involved in the organization for years, said the facility is a great place to be.
"It's amazing, it's awesome, it's peaceful, faithful, friendship," said VanOverien. "It looks cool, it has a lot of upgrades, like the bocce courts, soccer field and a football field."
Special Olympics Michigan hosts over 20,000 athletes from across the state.
According to Hileman, the facility helps relieve the burden of finding places for athletes to play for sporting events and gives a greater focus on developing athletes on and off the field.
"So many times our athletes kind of got the last pick," said Hileman. "You know, I'll never forget walking a parent and their special mix athlete through the building for the first time and she just started bawling when she saw the gymnasium. And, you know, she shared, the last three years, 'We've been practicing in the basement of a church and now they're in this facility and we want everything quality.' So, I think that's really meaningful."