Marla Jones, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala.- The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) held a public involvement meeting on Tuesday, March 28, to discuss plans for an emergency truck ramp for Joe’s Truck Stop.
The proposed ramp will displace the old Recreation Building on Highway 35, which houses Foster’s Training, along with 150 children and 50 adults who utilize the facility.
Marisa Foster of Foster’s Training stated that she was approached by the previous administration to rent the building. She currently has a lease with the City of Fort Payne.
Foster’s Training offers lessons in baseball, softball, and basketball for kids of all ages, plus a travel softball team. They specialize in training all sports in strength, speed, and agility. They have athletes from three surrounding states who train with them. The facility proudly states that they have had over 20 students receive college scholarships.
Foster’s Training is not only a gym but a place of solace for many.
“I walked in that building many years ago just wanting to feel better, to belong, to connect, and to rekindle my purpose” stated Jamie Larson in a Facebook post. “ I found it with the help of Marisa Foster (Owner) and my many friends at Foster’s Training, and slowly but surely all of those things I mentioned fell into place. My Foster Family takes everyone that needs and home and loves them exactly where they are and encourages them to be better every single day” concluded Larson.
This is only one of the many who have shown their support for a facility that may be demolished for the truck ramp.
ALDOT is seeking online public involvement through its website at www.aldotinvolved.com through Friday, April 28.
Foster’s Training requests that you help them save their gym by leaving a comment on the ALDOT page encouraging them to find an alternative plan. They also have a page on change.org (Save Fosters Training) with over 430 signatures of support.
Marisa Foster is addressing the Fort Payne City Council during a work session on Wednesday, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Live coverage can be found on Southern Torch Facebook.
