Missouri Southern approves overhaul to Leggett & Platt Athletic Center

(MSSU) — The Missouri Southern Board of Governors today approved a $2.189 million allocation from university reserve funds for a comprehensive overhaul of the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Work begins in spring 2025 with the replacement of the L&P roof damaged in the EF0/EF1 tornado on May 6, 2024, that passed over campus. Interior changes are divided into two phases with phase one, beginning construction in the summer of 2025, including new bleachers, indoor track, and basketball court.

Phase two includes renovations to the concession stand, restrooms, sound system, and video scoreboard. Philanthropic support and an allocation from the Missouri Southern Foundation are also being sought to complete the funding package for the entire $5 million project (the roof repair, phase one, and phase two combined).

Opened in 1999 for an initial cost of $8 million, Leggett & Platt has become the region’s premier large event space hosting over 80 events annually, half of them non-athletic campus and community gatherings. The high level of use of the facility over the last 25 years has made this $5 million upgrade of L&P necessary to maintain it as Southwest Missouri’s largest column-free venue. “We recognize the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is far more than a venue for basketball, volleyball, and indoor track and field,” says MSSU Athletic Director Rob Mallory. “It has become a gathering place for the region in times of celebration and tragedy and maintaining it in top condition is a high priority for the university.”

In addition to athletic events, Leggett & Platt has hosted U.S. presidents and state governors; MSSU, Kansas City University, and high school commencement ceremonies; 600+ person banquets; university and community career fairs; served as a place of refuge after the 2011 Joplin tornado; and as the venue for the funerals of the two fallen Joplin police officers in 2022.

MSSU president Dr. Dean Van Galen commented, “We are grateful to the Board of Governors and our philanthropic and foundation partners for their support of this important maintenance project. We look forward to a rejuvenated facility continuing to serve our community for another 25 years.”

Reserve funds are assets maintained by the university’s governing board to ensure long-term financial stability and, when appropriate, for one-time special needs and projects. University reserve funds may only be accessed at the direction of the MSSU Board of Governors.

Source