93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Columbia’s mayor has high praise for the popular Gans Creek cross country course, which hosted the NCAA’s 2021 SEC championship.
Gans Creek is located near Highway 63’s Discovery Parkway exit.
“And of course the architects for it travel the country looking at what are the attributes of other college level and professional level courses that we wanted to emulate here,” Mayor Brian Treece says.
Gans Creek and Columbia will also host the 2025 NCAA Division 1 men’s and women’s cross country national championships. Thousands of spectators will travel to Columbia for that event. Mayor Treece describes Gans Creek as a premier course.
“We have thousands of high school athletes that come here every year to run on that course. And it’s one of those clean economy things that creates jobs and hotel room nights,” he says.
Columbia Parks and Recreation says Gans Creek’s proximity to Rock Bridge state park, Nifong Park and Philips park make it an important link in the growing park system.
Meantime, Columbia’s sports commission will get a detailed report on events during today’s meeting. The commission will hear a report on upcoming, previously hosted, lost, awarded and current events. The sports commission meets at noon at the Columbia Sports fieldhouse on Philips Farm road.
