Therapeutic expansion: Kenny Rogers Children's Center renovates and grows

SIKESTON, MO -- Since Michelle Fayette signed on as executive director of the Kenny Rogers Children's Center eight years ago, the Sikeston facility has constantly acquired new patients and equipment. With 100 children on the waiting list and hoards of equipment stashed in outdoor storage, the center is about to see the most significant expansion in its 37-year history.

The center broke ground July 8 for a 7,000-square-foot expansion at the back of the current 10,000-square-foot facility. The addition will house a 4,000-square-foot all-accessible playground, more treatment and storage space, a motion analysis lab, sensory motor learning center, conference room and restrooms. Fayette says that when all is complete, there will be space to up the number of therapists from 13 to 20, enabling the center to treat even more children with disabilities.

"It looks like a playground where you can play and have fun, which is what we all see, but it's very therapeutic," says Fayette of the playground, the biggest part of the expansion. Therapists were involved in the planning stages to help determine what would be helpful, such as balance toys, complete wheelchair access, and both metal and plastic slides, as some children have implants that restrict them from using metal slides.

"A lot of times kids are very cognitively aware but very physically disabled," Fayette notes. The Kenny Rogers Children's Center treats just under 400 children, ages birth to 21 years. Most are from Southeast Missouri.

The center is currently reviewing construction bids for the addition. Once work begins, Fayette expects it to last seven to eight months, finishing up just before the annual telethon in March. The $750,000 project is being funded in part by a June 2009 concert led by Kenny Rogers and Neal E. Boyd that raised $120,000. The center is accepting donations for the project, is planning its next telethon and charity walk fundraisers, and was also approved for tax credits.

The expansion follows several months of renovations at the center, which included a new administrative and reception area, a remodeled kitchen, new flooring, office space for up to 20 therapists, and 14 additional parking spaces.