By Kathy Feist
New construction is being proposed for a sports and recreation facility on a 4.8 acre lot at 10103 Blue Ridge Blvd.
Missouri Valley Youth Services plans to build a two-court basketball facility with headquarter offices for its KC Phenom Grassroots basketball program. KC Phenom currently operates out of O’Hare High School at 99th and James A. Reed Rd.
Plans include adding infrastructure to the vacant lot, drive approaches, parking lot and a building.
KC Phenom formed here in 2007 as a grassroots girls basketball organization.
It has grown from a handful of girl teammates to 50 teams of both girls and boys throughout Missouri, including St. Louis, Springfield, and Columbia. KC Phenom participates in the Nike Girls EYBL basketball circuit for girls. It currently has a two-court facility in Columbia.
KC Phenom states on its website: The vision for this facility is to be a state-of-the-art multi-court sports performance and training facility.
A spokesperson for the organization (who has chosen not to be named) says the facility will grow in phases, ultimately providing training for youth and postgrads in a variety of sports. KC Phenom employs a full-time trainer, formerly a strength coach with the University of Kansas.
The property for the proposed facility was purchased two years ago. Organizers plan to continue to lease space at O’Hare which provides an extra basketball court for practices.
Learn more at www.mophenom.com.