News: McGrath Mountain Center Grand Opening
Saturday was a day of celebration, smiles, and even tears, as participants, volunteers, family, friends, and others gathered at the National Ability Center’s new, McGrath Mountain Center. The National Ability Center is dedicated to serving individuals, families, and groups with disabilities by providing a safe and inclusive environment to discover their untapped potential for athletic adventure. Their winter program that previously operated from a doublewide trailer, now has the benefit of expanding it’s offering through a 10,000-square-foot, Architectural Nexus designed state of the art facility.
The new building “Is a dream come true,” says Tracy Meier, chief program and education officer at the National Ability Center. The ADA-accessible facility will provide a home-base for the organization’s adaptive ski and snowboard programs and will provide the ability to serve participants and the community with year-round programs and events.
The McGrath Mountain Center boasts ample indoor space to properly fit participants in a variety of adaptive equipment including mono and bi-skis. Once fitted, participants will slide on an artificial surface directly to the snow. Jeff Fons, VP of Operations, shared the importance of the new facilities repair space for equipment. “With so many unique adaptive needs that we serve, the capability of adjusting and making repairs to equipment is critical.”
When asked if there were any often-overlooked design features he was excited about, Fons waved his hand in front of a motion sensor at a restroom door and shared his enthusiasm for the ease of use that the new restrooms provide.
Reservations are now open for anyone needing adaptations to hit the slopes in Park City, Utah. Scholarships are also available to help offset costs as needed. Additional news related to the grand opening of the McGrath Mountain Center, can be found at ABC4 Utah, and theParkRecord.com.
