Lake Travis - Westlake Edition | January 2022

S uor t

BEE CREEK RD.

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR • increases in trac • longer travel times • police directing trac

THE ATHLETES

Lake Travis Middle School 4932 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood

Residents can attend the Special Olympics Texas events Feb. 18-20. The games feature qualiers Feb. 18 and six events over Feb. 19- 20 as well as the nal leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and FUNdamental Sports that build motor skills.

SERENE HILLS DR.

EVENT

LOCATION FEB. 19 FEB. 20

620

Hill Country Indoor

11 a.m- 11:30 a.m.

Star Hill Ranch 15000 Hamilton Pool Road, Bee Cave

Torch Run Final Leg

Bee Cave Middle School 5400 Vail Divide, Austin

Opening Ceremony/ Victory Dance

Star Hill Ranch 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.

VAIL DIVIDE

Hill Country Indoor Lake Travis Middle School Hill Country Indoor Bee Cave Middle School Bee Cave Middle School

8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

8 a.m.- noon 8 a.m.- noon 8 a.m.- noon* 8 a.m.- noon*

Volleyball

Hill Country Indoor 13875 Bee Cave Parkway, Bee Cave

Floorball

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Floorball

Powerlifting

holds over 300 competi- tions annually around the state. There are an estimated 50,000 Special Olympics Texas competitors state- wide and roughly 4,000 in the Austin area, said Sarah Reibero, director of devel- opment for Special Olympics Texas. The location for state- wide events changes every three to four years, and pre- vious host cities for the Win- ter Games include Austin, Round Rock and Dallas. Sports and tness venue Hill Country Indoor in Bee Cave is hosting some of the events this year. General Manager Chris Lupton said he met with local ocials and Special Olympics Texas in September. He and his wife Angie have served as referees in Special Olympics Texas basketball tourna- ments in San Marcos.

With many of the facilities Special Olympics Texas uses being closed due to COVID- 19, Lupton said he saw the opportunity to help out. The cities of Bee Cave and Lakeway are also sponsor- ing the event and contrib- uting $100,000 each from hotel occupancy tax funds, a revenue stream used to promote tourism. “This was one of the eas- iest decisions anyone could have asked any elected leader to make,” Lakeway Mayor Tom Kilgore said. “We welcome every ath- lete; we welcome all of the support; and we’re really grateful that this event is coming to the Hill Country in February.” Bee Cave Mayor Kara King said she jumped at the opportunity to hold the Winter Games. As a mother

and seventh grade science teacher at Lake Travis Mid- dle School in Lake Travis ISD, she said the decision was emotional. “I get to know these kids personally, and to know that they get to be a part of an orga- nization that supports them is so rewarding,” King said. Bringing the experience to the Hill Country would make it easier for local athletes to participate in the events, King said. “It’s going to change lives; it’s going to change perspec- tive,” King said. “We may develop special education teachers, physical thera- pists, people who say, ‘I want to work with the inclusion population.’ To me, that is the most important.” COVID19 eect on athletes Special Olympics events

Cycling

TBD

Golf

TBD

Bee Cave Middle School

12:30 p.m.- 3 p.m.

FUNdamental sports

*EVENT HELD IF NECESSARY SOURCE: SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEXASCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

enthusiasm and give the vol- unteer hours to make this a truly spectacular experience with the athletes,” Director of Communications for Bee Cave Jenny Ho said. “It’s about bringing droves of people to cheer them on, to volunteer, to make this a truly memora- ble experience for them.” Why the Hill Country? Special Olympics Texas provides year-round sports training and competitions to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and

CONTINUED FROM 1

train foundational motor skills for athletes with phys- ical and/or developmental disabilities who would like to compete in the future. The nonprot, established in 1969, holds competitions at local, regional and state levels with event divisions separated by age, gender and ability to give athletes an equal chance to win. “You’ve got the kind of supportive community that will come out and show

Forward Progress.

Happy New Year from Feather Your Nest! 2022 Winter Scandia Sale is Here! Enjoy 20% off January 3rd - 29th

Feather Your Nest 3500 Jefferson Street, Suite 120 Austin, TX 512-206-3555

WholeEarthProvision.com

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM