Armory Sports and Recreation Center

About the Armory Sports and Recreation Center

This indoor facility is used for basketball, volleyball, meetings, aerobics, events, and after school programs. The Community Recreation and C.A.R.E. (Career Awareness Related Experience) programs along with the CoMo Bike Co-op are located in the Armory.

When not in program use, the gymnasium and other rooms are available for public rental. 

Contact information

Front Desk: 573.817.5077opens phone dialer
Community Recreation Department: Camren Cross 573.874.6378opens phone dialer
CARE Office: Ron Schmidt 573.874.6300opens phone dialer

Facility amenities

  • Aerobics Room
  • Cardio/Strength Training Area
  • Classrooms (1 main floor, 1 downstairs)
  • CoMo Bike Co-op
  • Computer Room
  • Gymnasium
  • Locker Rooms – Men’s, Women’s
  • Meeting Room
  • Offices
  • Recreation Room
  • Restrooms

Room rentals

For reservations: 573.874.7460opens phone dialer

The Armory has several rooms that are available for public rental when not in program use. The public can rent the gym, conference room, rec room, or classrooms. Rental rates range from $10-$30/hour, with a two-hour minimum. There is a one hour refundable deposit required. All renters must plan to include set up time, and clean up time for their event as part of their rental. Full payment is due at the time of reservation. Please allow a minimum of two (2) weeks advance notice to make a reservation.

Reservation fee is non-refundable. Transfers must be requested at least 14 days in advance of original reservation. Alcohol is not allowed.

Call Parks and Recreation Administration at 573.874.7460opens phone dialer for room availability and more information. A staff person will be scheduled on site during the rental (and therefore, no rentals available on official City holidays). Tables and chairs can be supplied upon advance request.

Some rentals may require a Park Special Use Permit, such as events where the general public is invited, are publicly advertised, or fees are collected (donations, admissions, concessions, or merchandise sales) – Please see Park Special Use Permit criteria to see if you need to obtain a permit for your rental.

Seating and Table Inventory

80 – White folding chairs for use in the downstairs rental areas or gymnasium
4 – White round 60 inch tables for use in the downstairs area or gymnasium
10 – White 6 foot tables for use in the downstairs area or gymnasium
10 – Bleacher sets of different sizes to seat a total of approximately 150 people for use in the gymnasium
42 – Blue non-folding chairs for use in the upstairs conference room
10 – Gray 6 foot slim tables for use in the upstairs conference room
10 – Black non-folding chairs for use in the main floor classroom
5 – Black 6 foot slim tables for use in the main floor classroom

Rental Room Photo

A minimum of two weeks advance notice for reservations.

Armory Gym

Gymnasium

The gym is available for rental only on Saturdays and Sundays, and after 6 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 
Price:
$30/hour – two hour minimum
Six or more hours: $180
Full payment is due at time of reservation.
Reservation fee is non-refundable. Transfers must be requested at least 14 days in advance of original reservation.

Group Size Limit: 100

Approx Room Size: 93′ x 76′

Location: main floor

No food or drink allowed in the gymnasium

Armory Conference Room

Conference Room

Price: $20/hr. – two hour minimum
Full payment is due at time of reservation.
Reservation fee is non-refundable. Transfers must be requested at least 14 days in advance of original reservation.

Group Size Limit: 50

Approx Room Size: 29′ x 33′

Location: upstairs

Armory Rec Room

Recreation Room

Price: $20/hr. – two hour minimum
Full payment is due at time of reservation.
Reservation fee is non-refundable. Transfers must be requested at least 14 days in advance of original reservation.

Group Size Limit: 85

Approx Room Size: 75′ x 25′

Location: downstairs

Armory Aerobics Room

Aerobics Room

Price: $15/hr. – two hour minimum
Full payment is due at time of reservation.
Reservation fee is non-refundable. Transfers must be requested at least 14 days in advance of original reservation.

Group Size Limit: 30

Approx Room Size: 48′ x 20′

Location: downstairs

Armory Downstairs Classroom

Downstairs Classroom

Price: $15/hr. – two hour minimum
Full payment is due at time of reservation.
Reservation fee is non-refundable. Transfers must be requested at least 14 days in advance of original reservation.

Group Size Limit: 30

Approx Room Size: 48′ x 20′

Location: downstairs

Armory Classroom

Main Floor Small Classroom

Price: $10/hr. – two hour minimum
Full payment is due at time of reservation.
Reservation fee is non-refundable. Transfers must be requested at least 14 days in advance of original reservation.

Group Size Limit: 10

Approx Room Size: 26′ x 16′

Location: main floor

Armory history

1938

The land where the Armory Building now stands was transferred to the State of Missouri in September of 1938 by the City of Columbia for the express purpose of use as a National Guard Armory. The Warranty Deed stated that it was “…understood and agreed that the City of Columbia, the party of the first part, and the Board of Education of the City of Columbia and the various civic and service clubs of said City, with the permission of said City of Columbia, shall have perpetual easement in the use of the buildings and premises and/or any buildings to be constructed on the within premises so long as such does not conflict with the use and benefit of the Missouri National Guard as an Armory.” In layman’s terms, this meant that the City could still use the building as long as that usage didn’t interfere with the National Guard’s business. Also, in the words of Fred Boeckmann, City Counselor, in 1989, “It is my opinion that if the State ceases to use the property as an Armory, the City, under its easement, can make whatever use it chooses of the property.”

 

Armory Erection Stone

The original Armory building was constructed in 1938 at a cost of $118,810. The City paid $38,972, the State paid $8,003, and the Federal Government paid $ 71,835.

Parks and Recreation in the Armory: From the very beginning, the City took advantage of the building as permitted by the 1938 deed (quoted above). Primary usage of the Armory by the City was for recreational activities, and the City paid costs associated with that usage. Among costs paid by the City were utilities for the Armory and various expenses involved in maintaining the gym floor.

1989

A 1989 assessment by the Parks and Recreation Department determined that the facility had been used for recreation a total of 809 hours that year by a total of more than 19,000 participants (including spectators). The recreational activities at that time were basketball and volleyball leagues, as well as Noon Club basketball. It was estimated that just over $20,000 was saved by the Parks and Rec using the Armory for those activities, comparing the price to what using local school gyms would have cost. In reality, many of those activities would have been eliminated, rather than played somewhere else at such higher costs.

1993

Armory National Register of Historic Places Certificateopens PDF file In 1993, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its architecture was (and remains) Art Deco, a style born in the early twentieth century. As well as for its architecture, construction of the Armory is historically relevant, because it was part of the country-wide New Deal construction boom. Armories were built across the country during this period, and style was largely left to local control for the first time. Until then, Armory construction had followed a more uniform code, and the buildings were made to look formidable and opposing. Columbia’s Armory is also socially important, as, from its very start, it has served dual functions as both a state military and community activity site.

Art Deco, like its predecessor, Art Nouveau, was a break from the traditions of Greek and Roman art. A product of the times (1909-1940), Art Deco utilized modern technology to produce art that was available to the common person, not just to the wealthy as classical art had been. Though very popular, this style of architecture was highly transitory, and few examples of it remain in central Missouri. As written in the Department of Interior document that established the Armory on the National Register of Historic Places: “The Columbia Armory is an excellent example of Art Deco in the state of Missouri.” Specific characteristics of the Armory noted by the National Register were the symmetrical windows and the lamella roof structure. Lamella, or diagrid, roof construction was a novelty at the time and produced a tell-tale latticework or honeycomb appearance.

1996

In 1996, the National Guard finished a new building at 5151 Roger Wilson Drive and moved out of the old Armory. For about the next year, various discussions were held regarding use of the facility, and these covered many different topics and concerns. Use of the building by Boone County, the Police Department, and the Fire Department were all considered, as well as continued and expanded use by the Parks and Recreation Department. By the end of 1997, new buildings for both the Police and Fire Departments were in the works, and Parks and Recreation was left with the Armory.

1999

Discussion, planning, and bidding on renovations to the building then began and lasted into 1999. Chief concerns in the renovation of the Armory were the leaking roof, the damaged gym floor, and-first and foremost-bringing the building up to ADA standards. A contract was finally awarded to Prost Builders for the renovation in August of 1999. During the work, the Columbia Historic Preservation Committee was consulted to ensure the historic appearance of the building was not adversely affected by the renovations. The features specifically talked about were the front doors, the windows, and the roof. The committee was also consulted on paint color for the exterior of the building.

Armory under construction

2000

In April of 2000, the City Council officially terminated a ten-year agreement between the City and County, giving the City sole possession of the Armory, because the County no longer needed space within the building. Renovation was in full swing at this point, and the council officially named the facility the Armory Sports Center as recommended by Parks and Recreation staff. On May 23, 2000, City Manager Ray Beck announced that, “…for all practical purposes, the work authorized by contract has been completed and Parks and Recreation has been advised they may take possession of the facility except for the locker rooms that will be impacted by pending decisions.” Decisions were also being made regarding the gym floor, but Parks and Rec staff began moving into the building.

Armory Plaque

The budget for the renovations was $1,320,000, partially funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Renovations brought the building up to code and included a new gym floor, air conditioning and heating to allow year-round programming, new locker rooms for men and women, restrooms, elevator and new program rooms. The outside of the building was painted and old windows replaced. By the fall of 2000, the Armory had been completely renovated and back in full use.

Armory Sports and Recreation Center

 

2001

In celebration of renovation completion, the City of Columbia held a dedication ceremony for the Armory on April 13, 2001. See dedication program.opens PDF file

2003

In 2003, the Community Recreation Program, formerly at 4th and Wilkes, was moved to the Armory. With the addition of the Community Recreation Program, the Armory was renamed as the Armory Sports & Recreation Center.

2011

In 2011, to save rental costs and to keep the customer base in line with CDBG guidlelines, the C.A.R.E. (Career Awareness Related Experience) program was relocated from the Orr Street Studios to the Armory and the Recreation Sports offices were relocated from the Armory to the Gentry Building.