Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center

In October of 2005, the ASF realized its long-awaited dream of having a permanent home. The Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center represents the culmination of a $4.5 million fundraising campaign, the vision of our board, and the hard work and determination of countless volunteers and donors. The 8,000 square foot building far exceeds all our expectations. Designed from the ground up as a completely handicapped accessible building, the structure allows our students to easily navigate from the entrance, through the building and out to the slopes without changing levels. Having our own Center has helped the program develop a sense of community for students, their families and our volunteers.

In the new center, disabled students are able to interact with each other in a new way. A sixteen-year-old visually impaired girl was overheard getting advice on colleges from a 23-year-old blind law student. During the Wounded Warrior event, injured United States veterans were seen comparing prosthetics with ASF volunteer instructors who are also amputees. Our race team, whose members have a range of disabilities, celebrated a teammate’s successful first run on the NASTAR race course at lunch time.

In the past, parents who didn’t ski spent hours in Windham Mountain’s cafeteria waiting for their children to finish their lessons, often unaware that there were other parents in the same situation. In the Center’s great room, families that have been coming to the Foundation for years have met for the first time. The Adaptive Sports Center brings these families together and provides a haven where they can relax and talk with each other, to share experiences and to network. Together they triumph in a child’s accomplishments, or offer encouragement to another who struggles. Our volunteer instructors feel an increased sense of community as well. They now have a place to mingle with fellow instructors, compare teaching techniques and make lasting friendships.