City for Champions is a project that will highlight four unique and extraordinary attractions in the Colorado Springs area.  The project will include the Country’s only Olympic Museum, a state of the art event center, a sports medicine and performance center, and a gateway visitor center dedicated to the Air Force. The project will create new jobs, an increase in tourism, and a revival of the downtown area. At the center of every successful city is a vibrant downtown, something Colorado Springs could use an up-lift in. Colorado Springs is losing National Governing Bodies and a closer tie with the United States Olympic Committee will draw these corporations back in. Not only will C4C create jobs during construction, the final product will create new, stable jobs to people in the community. Studies show that the project will boost the regions tourism industry and attract more than 500,000 out-of-state visitors a year. Just think of the benefits to small businesses the added tourism will bring.

The Olympic Museum will spotlight the United States greatest Olympic achievements and be the only museum to do so in the entire country. The USOC will donate all the artifacts to the museum for free — a once in a lifetime chance for Colorado Springs. The museum will incorporate interactive experiences and “convey the universal power of the Olympic movement.” (www.cityforchampions.com) The London Olympics was the most-watched event in the United States topping 219 million viewers; national pride and respect for Team USA is rising. With an Olympic Museum, Colorado Springs will entice tourists and draw them to the inspiring tribute. The 1.7 acres in southwest downtown needed for the museum was donated by Nor’wood real estate and the El Pomar foundation has donated 10 million dollars to the project. GE Johnson of Colorado Springs was just named the general contractor and announced the tentative completion date, early 2018 before the winter Olympics in South Korea. The Olympic Museum is now closer to reality than ever before.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs will be in charge of the new, state-of-the-art medical performance center. Elite athletes training at the USOC will now have access to cutting edge technology. The medical center will also draw in pre-medical students to the university. With this new development, the university will gain popularity and boost its reputation. A city with a thriving university will attract more young students and people interested in sports medicine.

The event center will include a multiuse stadium and indoor arena that will host Team USA and national competitions. The idea of the arena is still roughly a concept and the fine point details will be discussed when budget comes around. The arena, located adjacent to the new Olympic Museum, will host the Olympic trials and several national championships; this will boost the regions tourism industry as well.

The Gateway Center for the United States Air Force Academy will be a tribute to all the hard-work, dedication, and sacrifice that define the Cadets’.  The center’s new location will have easier public access and will offer engaging, inspiring experiences. The men and women who serve our country here at the Air Force Academy truly make our city, a city for champions.

City for Champions will transform the struggling west side of downtown and revitalize the businesses in the vicinity. This domino effect will spring up new businesses and restaurants; an example of the domino effect is Coors field in lower Denver. Before Coors Field (the baseball stadium for the Rockies) was built, lower Denver was an unwelcoming place that, upon first glance, turned many people away. The building of Coors Field spurred construction in the surrounding area and now, this once daunting area, has become a thriving, inviting, place to gather. If you were to walk around southwest Colorado Springs, it would be easy to see why the downtown area needs City for Champions.

Support City for Champions and the United States Olympic Committee by spreading the word about this extraordinary project and by going online to www.cityforchampions.com.

Photograph Citation:

www.cityforchampions.com