Community news: An all-inclusive playground, soccer and business moves
Olathe playground opens today
A new all-inclusive playground in the Kansas City area is scheduled to officially open today in Olathe.
The playground, 11031 S. Valley Road at the College Boulevard Activity Center, was built to serve special needs children and their families. The dedication is set for 9:30 a.m.
Supporters of the playground include Royals Charities and Variety Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City.
Heartland Soccer sponsor
The Aldi grocery store chain is partnering with the Overland Park-based Heartland Soccer Association for the 2016 fall season.
As part of the partnership, Aldi will be the title sponsor for the Heartland Invitational soccer tournaments, set for Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 11-13 at the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex and the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City. The Aldi Heartland Invitational tournaments are expected to attract more than 600 teams from the Midwest, Heartland said.
Aldi operates more than 1,500 U.S. stores in 34 states.
Blue Ocean business
A Texas company has contracted with Lenexa-based Blue Ocean Consulting to upgrade its electronic health record system.
Mentis Neuro Health, headquartered in Bellaire, Texas, provides rehabilitation services at five head trauma centers for people recovering from brain injuries.
Financial details of the contract were not disclosed. Blue Ocean has 35 employees.
Houlihan’s Restaurants appoints vice president
Courtney Martinez has been named vice president of talent and human resources at Leawood-based Houlihan’s Restaurants Inc.
Martinez was previously vice president of human resources for Apple Investors Group, a DineEquity franchisee. Before that, she was a senior manager of franchise human resources at DineEquity, the parent company of Applebee’s and IHOP.
Houlihan’s operates 86 restaurant locations under the Houlihan’s, Bristol Seafood Grill, Devon Seafood +Steak, and J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood brands.
Merriam city administrator retires
Merriam city administrator Phil Lammers is set to retire.
Lammers, who was scheduled to step down today attended his last city council meeting last week, and was recognized for his service and accomplishments. He spent eight of his 36 years in public service with the city.
The Merriam council previously appointed assistant city administrator Chris Engel to the role of city administrator, starting Thursday.
Youth baseball tryouts
The KC Bullets Baseball Club has scheduled tryouts on Sept. 13 for its 10 and under youth team.
The tryout will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mid-America Sports Complex, field 26.
More information: kcbullets.com, or call Jared Huckleberry at 913-565-5508.
The Star
This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Community news: An all-inclusive playground, soccer and business moves."