#61: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center

It makes perfect sense to have one of the most popular female athletes in the last 30 years have something named after her. Jackie Joyner-Kersee was born in East St. Louis in 1962. She won six Olympic medals.

Facts about the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center:

• Opened in 2000.
• $12 million was raised for the building, including donations from Anheuser-Busch and Monsanto
• Unfortunately due to mismanagement and money matters, the JJK Center was closed for a short time from 2010 to 2012, as it is back in operation.
• Joyner-Kersee herself is on the board, serving as President.
• Building contains indoor basketball courts, computer rooms and a cafeteria. Also there are football, softball and baseball fields that are spread across 37 acres.

An episode of KETC Channel 9's 'Living St. Louis' devoted to Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/joyner-kersee-isn-t-giving-up-on-center-bearing-her/article_249ce674-4601-5eff-9ba3-0696c405f1a2.html

101 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Circle, EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, 62204
Cake artist: Linda Thompson