City for Champions projects updated in Colorado Springs

It was five years ago that the idea of the City for Champions projects was revealed in Colorado Springs, and a city official said Wednesday that he’s pleased with the progress.

Former Mayor Steve Bach created the idea of an Olympic Museum, a sports medicine center, a visitors center at the Air Force Academy and a sports/events center.

All of the venues were to be located in or near downtown and financed by $120.5 million in state tourism revenue.

Wednesday, construction on the museum was 70% complete; officials have broken ground on the sports medicine center on the campus of the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, and groundbreaking is expected in 2019 on the visitors center.

The sports facility facet has become two venues: An outdoor stadium for soccer, concerts and other events; and an indoor arena for hockey and other events on the Colorado College campus.

Bob Cope, the city’s economic development officer, said the projects will attract at least $2 billion in surrounding economic development — office buildings, shops, restaurants, hotels and parking — and that the projects will bring 1 million additional visitors to the area annually.