Litchfield City Council Meeting | February 19, 2026

Article Summary: The City Council approved a series of zoning changes and a special use permit to allow Purler Wrestling, Inc. to transform the former Ida J. Russell School into a wrestling training facility. The project is expected to bring economic benefits to Litchfield through camps and training academies.

Zoning & Development Key Points:

• Location: 705 N. Jefferson (Former Ida J. Russell School).

• Developer: Purler Wrestling, Inc., a company known for wrestling camps in Moscow Mills, Missouri.

• Approvals: The Council approved rezoning from S-1 to S-2 and granted a special use permit for recreational use.

• Usage: The facility will host female wrestling summer camps and year-round weekly training academies.

The Litchfield City Council on Thursday, February 19, 2026, cleared the way for a new chapter at the former Ida J. Russell School, approving zoning amendments that will allow Purler Wrestling, Inc. to purchase and operate a training facility at 705 N. Jefferson.

The project required multiple legislative actions, including a text amendment to the city code, a rezoning of the property from S-1 (Single Family) to S-2 (Single Family), and a special use permit for recreational use. City Administrator Breann Vazquez explained that while the property is being rezoned, the special use permit ensures the city retains control over the site’s operations.

“The building has been up for sale for quite some time,” Vazquez said. “They plan on purchasing the building and hosting summer camps for their female wrestlers. They will also be hosting wrestling evenings, training camps, two evenings per week throughout the year for both males and females.”

Vazquez noted the potential economic impact, citing the hotel stays generated by the company’s existing operations in the Moscow Mills, Missouri area.

“We are leaving this as single family residential so that a commercial use couldn’t come in later with no restrictions,” Vazquez added. “The special use permit is non-transferable, meaning that if they walked away, someone else couldn’t step in and do what they’re doing with no regulation.”

The agenda packet outlines specific conditions for the special use permit, including a requirement for a minimum of 30 on-site parking spaces, staggering summer camp drop-off times to reduce traffic, and enforcing quiet hours from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

The Council voted unanimously to approve all ordinances and resolutions related to the project.