Longtime stair climbing fundraiser canceled due to sudden Wyndham closure

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A long-running fundraiser for the American Lung Association has been canceled due to the sudden closure of the Wyndham Springfield City Centre.

The Fight For Air Climb Springfield was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 12.

On Friday, WAND News reported that the Springfield hotel had abruptly closed following vandalism that damaged safety equipment.

Springfield Fire Chief Ed Canny said the hotel didn't have working sprinklers, fire alarms, or elevators and would have to be closed until the issues were resolved.

The Springfield Police Department is investigating the damage to the hotel as intentional vandalism.

The American Lung Association said that despite the cancellation, residents can still support the organization by donating at climbspringfield.com.

Registered participants have been contacted with several alternative opportunities to climb for healthy lungs and clean air. They include a step challenge at Orange Theory Fitness and Fit Club on Saturday April 12 or complimentary entry into a future Fight For Air Climb event. These events include climbing Chicago’s Soldier Field on June 22, or the Metropolitan Square in St. Louis or Salesforce Tower in Indianapolis next spring. There will also be a “Climb Where You Are” virtual event on Saturday April 12 where participants climb at home, their office, or even the state capitol.

“We are incredibly saddened that we won’t be able to host our annual Fight For Air Climb at the Wyndham Springfield City Center,” said Brett Schuette, executive director at the American Lung Association. “The safety of our climbers, volunteers and attendees is our top priority, and unfortunately the venue’s closing left us with no viable option but to cancel.”

For more information on the climb alternatives visit climbspringfield.com.