ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The city of Hazelwood just unveiled its new US National Handball Center, with ambitions of hosting tournaments and helping the area economically. 

“Hazelwood is one of the fine communities in St. Louis County,” St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said. 

This grand opening comes after St. Louis’ local handball organization, the St. Louis Hinder Club, lost its lease for its club in Arnold, Missouri, last year. 

The St. Louis Hinder Club collaborated with other groups in developing a new center. Partnerships that helped facilitate this project include collaborations with the United States Handball Association and the Missouri State Handball Association. 

With St. Louis being a sports city, with teams like the Cardinals, Blues and Battlehawks, Page hopes this center can expand the growth of handball. 

On its website, the U.S. National Handball Center of St. Louis said that it also looks to keep the game alive and inspire the youth to play the sport. 

“This center isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of our shared passion and commitment to the game. It’s where champions will rise, young athletes will be inspired, and the handball community will come together like never before,” the group wrote on its page.

More information about the center’s development can be found here.