By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Arc of the Central Plains celebrated the opening of its new program center for individuals with disabilities.
The Chamber in Hays hosted a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday at the Buffalo Friends & Family Activities Center, 229 W. 10th St., formerly the Home Event Center.
Kathy McAdoo, executive director of the Arc of the Central Plains, said the organization outgrew its former space adjacent to the Arc Thrift Store.
"This building was on the market for a long time," McAdoo said. "All of a sudden, the price dropped, and we got a phone call. We weren't looking for a space, although we needed a space for our activities."
In 2024, the Arc board approved about $150,000 for renovations to the 9,000-square-foot building. Tiffany Schulte, the Arc’s director of activities and programs, outlined the organization’s activities and sports programs, noting its growth over time.
"If you include the athletes along with participants who don't do sports, we easily have over 100 participants. Our Christmas party last year, we had close to 110 come for that," Schulte said.
The building will be used for non-sport activities, life-skills programs, community events and storage space, made possible largely by proceeds from the Arc’s Thrift Store at 600 Main St.
"Basically, we're going to make this place a home away from home," Schulte said.
Renovations to the building included added lighting, a railing along the dance floor and a new entrance ramp. The space also features a hangout area with a ping-pong table, pool table, and shelves stocked with board games and books.
The Arc offers Special Olympics programs, including basketball and bowling, for participants ages 8 and older. McAdoo said a group of athletes will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, this summer to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Other non-sports activities the Buffaloes take part in include bingo nights, dance parties and Nerf wars. The new Healthy Buffaloes program offers classes every Sunday and focuses on wellness and life skills rather than competition.
McAdoo said the thrift store funds all of the Arc’s programs, including the Buffaloes and its newest initiative, Harvest Hays, which helps individuals develop teamwork skills through farming and opens doors to employment opportunities.
She thanked those who donate to the store and shop there.
"This is such a blessing in all of our lives and especially for our athletes and our other participants," McAdoo said.
The Arc purchased the building in October 2024, and it wasn't until October 2025 that they moved in.
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