Bob Foos
Hundreds turned out Monday to check out The W Club, Webb City’s new recreation center in King Jack Park.
Gibson Berendt, who placed third nationally in the Elks Club Hoop Shoot, cut the ribbon and put on a freethrow demonstration in somewhat of a competition with The W Club philanthropist Jim Dawson.
Joe Grisham was recognized as the oldest member of the original W Club for lettermen at Webb City High School. Grisham was initiated in 1951 as a sophomore. He’s also a member of the Webb City R-7 Athletic Hall of Fame.
After receiving City Council approval for his concept in March 2024, Dawson planned and oversaw construction of the building that includes a large gym along with a kitchen for concessions, an office, commons and multi-purpose room.The building was paid for by the Dawson Heritage Foundation. Ownership was officially transferred to the city on June 16 by Dawson, who serves on the council.
Public works prepared the ground for the foundation and built the parking lot.
Kong Lee has been added to the parks department staff as the recreation director.
Visitors touring the facility during the grand opening received free food and drinks at the concession window.
The first day of operation was Tuesday. It will be open initially from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, with reservations available on weekends. (See schedule below.)
Membership is free, and participation (requiring sign-up) will be free except during open gym hours, when the charge will be $2.
Gym use from 8 to 10 a.m daily will be limited to walking and other fitness activities.
There will be city-sponsored youth basketball and volleyball leagues next year.
For updates, follow The W Club on Facebook and at the Webb City Parks and Recreation website.
The Webb City Sentinel isn’t a newspaper – but it used to be, serving Webb City, Missouri, in print from 1879-2020. This “newspaper” seeks to carry on that tradition as a nonprofit corporation.
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