Thurston Life Foundation Unveils Joyce A Langeliers Family Center in Springfield

Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon cut the ribbon at noon on Saturday to open the Joyce A Langeliers Family Center, a two-building complex at 5807-5809 A St. across from Thurston High School that hosted a grand opening running until 4:30 p.m. and included raffles and prizes for attendees. The Thurston Life Foundation funded the development to create gathering space for youth and families in the Thurston neighborhood near 58th and Main Street.

Thurston Life Foundation chair Ron Sauer described the redevelopment of what had been a vacant lot as a place where Thurston residents "can come together and experience community." The foundation’s stated mission is to support the social, emotional and spiritual health of the community through initiatives and strategic partnerships, and the center brings that mission into built form with tenant spaces, youth programming and counseling on site.

Local businesses and service partners moved into the complex as anchor tenants. TrackTown Pizza will operate in the southern building; owners Tim and Mandee Hill join Tim and Lexie Meyers as co-owners at the new location. Mandee Hill said, "We already have quite a few families, including our own, who will come here after the basketball games on the Tuesdays and Friday nights when we can. It's just fun to get to sit with you know, our friends and family and visit and get to eat and not be far from home." The Washburne East will be represented by Derek Weber, who called the project "a jumping off point" similar to the Washburne location downtown.

Youth and behavioral health services are part of the tenant mix. Project partners listed for the Joyce A Langeliers Family Center include YoungLife and Northlight Counseling, formerly Arise, alongside the two restaurants and rentable community space designed for events and game-day overflow from Thurston High School.

Design and construction details reflect the center’s community focus. The site comprises two buildings sharing an outdoor plaza and features large storefront glass and welcoming common areas, with a southern building that houses TrackTown Pizza and a large rentable room separated by a large overhead door to open for big events. ArborSouth led design and project coordination, Dorman Construction served as builder, KPFF Engineering provided structural engineering and Sarah Elizabeth Design handled interiors. ArborSouth published a testimonial from Roger Langeliers praising the firm’s responsiveness and planning.

Portions of the complex were already open at the time local reporters noted the project, while other spaces were scheduled to open the following month. A photo caption at the event showed a sign reading "Joyce A Langliers Family Center," a spelling variant from the "Langeliers" spelling used in most project materials; the foundation and partners are expected to confirm final signage and naming.

Thurston Life Foundation staffer and Thurston High graduate Christine McAndrews said the center fills a need for youth connection and mental health supports, adding, "I am really excited just to see Thurston come together, have a place where they can mingle, kind of grow in relationships and also just have fun." The project transforms two parcels at 5807-5809 A St. into a neighborhood hub intended to anchor local businesses and services around Thurston High School and nearby residential blocks.