For immediate release
For more information, contact
Bonnie Prigge at (573) 265-2999
For immediate release
For more information, contact
Bonnie Prigge at (573) 265-2999
ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) board learned about a tool Chairman T.R. Dudley dubbed “the best kept secret in the area” during its March 12 meeting.
That tool is the Universal Challenge Center, an outdoor obstacle course located on Highway 72 between Rolla and Salem designed to teach a variety of skills.
“These are all skills that you need in both your professional life and your personal life,” Universal Challenge Course Manager Alan Galindo said. “That really makes it appropriate for any kind of group.”
He added that in the last year, the youngest individual to complete the course was 10-years-old, and the oldest was 63-years-old.
The skills taught through challenge course activities include teamwork, communication, leadership, problem solving, decision-making, commitment, self-confidence, overcoming fear, trust and group encouragement.
Built in 1998 with federal funding, the center also provides meeting spaces, an outdoor pavilion, a fire pit and restrooms to help facilitate a variety of events. It is operated by the Central Region Workforce Investment Board, on which Dudley also serves. There is a per-person training fee to use the course.
“I would really like to publicly acknowledge the work Alan has done with the Challenge Center,” Dudley said. “The Challenge Course had fallen into serious disrepair, and he has really revitalized it.”
For more information on the Universal Challenge Center, visit www.universalchallenge.org. or call 573-426-2946.
In other business, the MRPC board:
· Learned about an upcoming Affordable Care Act seminar to be held at Public House Brewing Company’s St. James location;
· Learned about a regional meeting of Missouri Betterment Communities planned April 16 at MRPC; and
· Learned that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has funding to assist with Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessments.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 20, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.