Indoor Recreation Opportunities

Honor the Past.

In years past groups gathered for dance lessons, dog obedience classes, cooking shows, demonstrations, and tournaments of various sports, along with other areas of interest that utilized Memorial Hall. Today, the City of Joplin does not have facility options that can accommodate the wide variety of youth and adult sports, recreation, and personal enrichment our citizens have enjoyed over the last 100 years. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department has had to limit its indoor programming due to the lack of available space.

Teenagers shooting basketballs during the Turkey Shootout free throw competition
Cheerleaders performing at 2019 competition at Memorial Hall
Preschoolers running across the Memorial Hall floor as part of the Little Dribblers program

Imagine the Future.

Since Memorial Hall’s dedication in 1925, many new recreational activities and hobbies have developed. These new activities offer opportunities for our citizens and visitors to actively participate in various programs, while also encouraging spectators to enjoy the fun as well. The proposed renovation of Memorial Hall includes room for both, with telescopic seats that can be used along the floor or retracted to allow for more space needed for a full-size basketball court, two volleyball courts, or just open space for dance or fitness classes. The balcony will be upgraded, and several different group seating areas will be added.

Image of the lower level proposed renovation of Memorial Hall highlighting changes

The plan for a completely renovated Memorial Hall, which includes an attached 8,500 square foot annex to the west, allows for even more flexibility and optional set-ups for various recreational activities and groups, large or small. Activities could include, but are not limited to:

  • Youth & Adult Sports - basketball, wrestling, volleyball, table tennis, pickleball
  • Health & Fitness programs - dance, cheer, tumbling, yoga, pi-yo, Zumba
  • Sporting Events – tournaments, matches, competitions of all kinds
  • Community Enrichment Classes - dance, arts, cooking, & more
Concept image of the new indoor recreation space
Gymnasts practicing on mats in a large room
A woman participating in an art class and looking at another participant
Four women hitting a volleyball over a net