By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — This year, The Magical Meadows wrapped up an extensive expansion project featuring two indoor riding arenas that cost an estimated $2.6 million.
Now, organizers are setting their sights on renovating the original arena and office space.
With the opening of two new arenas, officials will now focus on transforming the original arena and office space. On top of that, the building’s second floor (nearly 2,000 square feet) opens the door for even more changes in the future.
“The vision for this building is to completely do another huge renovation,” said Executive Director Michael Kuhn on Saturday while overseeing a first-ever trunk-or-treat event for people with special needs.
“We’re in the exploratory phase of building plans for that, and it will become the Adams Center for Wellbeing and Belonging,” he said.
The future name is a nod in recognition of longterm board chairman Carl Adams, who is a former executive director with Magical Meadows and who is still active with the organization.
Detailed plans of the venture are expected to be announced early next year, and Kuhn said the price tag is expected to be around $1.9 million.
The proposed Adams Center for Well-being & Belonging would include:
- A multi-use gymnasium and recreation center
- Space for adaptive recreation, exercise, camps, group activities, and community programming
- Renovated private therapy and treatment rooms
- Opportunities for outside providers to offer services such as recreational therapy, music therapy, and other specialized therapies
- Inclusive spaces where individuals with and without disabilities can participate together
- New opportunities for siblings and families to play, connect, and participate alongside one another
The goal, he said, is to create an inclusive environment.
The Adams Center would not be exclusively for individuals with disabilities. Instead, the goal is to create a truly inclusive environment where people with and without disabilities can participate together.
The project would also allow The Magical Meadows to partner with qualified outside providers rather than attempting to directly provide every service. Providers could rent treatment and program space, expanding access to specialized services while also creating an additional source of earned revenue for the nonprofit.
More than 10 percent of Kosciusko County residents live with a disability, and The Magical Meadows has previously identified a shortage of local spaces and programs specifically designed to meet the needs of those individuals, according to a recent news release.
The project would also allow The Magical Meadows to partner with qualified outside providers rather than attempting to directly provide every service. Providers could rent treatment and program space, expanding access to specialized services while also creating an additional source of earned revenue for the nonprofit.
This model was first identified as part of the organization’s long-term sustainability strategy during the Growing with Heart campaign.
Recent expansion included the Warriors Arena, a dedicated facility created to serve veterans and first responders through The Magical Meadows’ Warriors Mount Up program.
The other arena now serves an array of equestrian-focused therapy programs.
In the meantime, organizers will look at the next phase of expansion.
“We want to do our homework,” Kuhn said. “We want to make sure this project is thoughtful, sustainable, and worthy of the people it will serve. Over the next several months, we are going to listen, learn, and work with the people who have helped us get this far to determine the best path forward.”
Saturday’s Trunk or Treat event expands on the organization’s belief in inclusivity.
