This screen shot illustrates plans for the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame's future home at the Save Mart Center.

After nearly 60 years of effort, actual construction of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame is set to begin next year.

A 1,900-square-foot section of the southwest wing of the Save Mart Center will become an interactive museum honoring exceptional athletes from Fresno or who have participated and excelled in sports here.

Since 1958, the Hall of Fame’s governing board has selected 335 athletes for induction, including the five added Thursday night at the organization’s $75-a-plate annual Enshrinement and Fundraiser Dinner.

But there never has been a brick-and-mortar hall of fame for the public to visit.

Hall of Fame Board President Walt Byrd Jr. and Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro made the announcement at the dinner.

Earlier this year, the governing board announced an agreement in which Fresno State will make a portion of the Save Mart Center available to house the Hall of Fame, but the organization needed to raise about $1.5 million to construct it.

A fundraising campaign over the past year has raised more than $293,700 in straight donations and pledges, along with an additional $256,900 in pledges through 2019.

That leaves more than $949,000 that still needs to be raised to fully fund the project.

For his part, Byrd said in an interview prior to Thursday night’s dinner — when the plans to go forward with the construction were publicly announced — that he expects to raise all the money by the time the work on building the Hall of Fame is completed.

“We’ve reached out to all of our inductees. We think that’s a great resource for us,” he said. “We’ve talked to all of the philanthropic people in the Fresno County area. Unfortunately, they are the same people who are asked to donate to a variety of different causes. They are being gracious enough to support us.

Current plans are to start work on the Hall of Fame next summer, but how far Phase 1 can go will depend on the success of the fundraising from this point forward, Byrd said.

“Phase 1 needs to look amazing. It needs to look finished. It doesn’t need blank walls,” and paying for that shouldn’t be a problem, as the brick-and-mortar aspects of the hall are the least expensive, he said.

The exhibit will feature interactive technology, including touch screens, and will focus on the life stories of inductees in hopes of inspiring Fresno youth to achieve to their fullest.

To make a donation to help fund the building of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame, visit the website.

If you would like to get involved with the Hall of fame, call Suzi Huettmen at 559-448-0677.

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For more information, see the Nov. 3 print edition of The Business Journal.