Mar 27, 2023 _ news

Steel City Squash Breaks Ground in Larimer

Residents and local leaders recently gathered in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Larimer to break ground on Steel City Squash’s new Community Squash and Education Center.

Dedicated to providing life-changing opportunities to underserved students, Steel City Squash pairs the joy and discipline of squash with education, tutoring, and travel opportunities to create pathways to college. With eight collegiate quality squash courts and classroom/community space, their new home will bolster their mission while fostering connection and economic opportunity in Larimer. The facility will also provide memberships and a home to the Chatham University squash team that has taken the sport by storm and is consistently among the top 20 in the nation.

Larimer Consensus Group’s Executive Director, Donna Jackson gave voice to the community’s excitement. “This doesn’t really happen in African American communities…. You always think of baseball or football, but now our kids are learning squash plus getting an education,” she observed. “This is – I’m not going to say a miracle, but close to one.”

“I’m really excited to see our team and work being welcomed by the community. Larimer is vocal about what they want, and that’s really energizing,” observes GBBN’s Mel Ngami, AIA, who is working on the design.

“The community has helped shape the design, which is great, because the project is about bringing resources to them,” Mel continues. “Not only does it create beautiful, optimistic environment for kids from around the neighborhood and the city, but it will create connections between the neighborhood and Chatham University (whose team will play here) and it will provide space for the community to use in off hours.”

See Action 4 News’s coverage of the groundbreaking here.

Learn more about plans for the building here.