George D. Miller Handball Courts

In the 1970's, Toledo handballers played inside the 4 wall courts at the downtown YMCA. During summer months, the YMCA was not air conditioned and it was not practical to play inside.

George Miller had an opportunity to play outside 3-wall in Michigan. He dreamed of playing handball year round. George discussed his vision with Lucas County commissioners, Ned Skeldon and Gene Cook who were also handball players at the Y.

George obtained the construction plans from the courts in Michigan and decided he wanted Toledo to have the best 8 regulation 3-wall handball courts in the world.

Mr. Skeldon and Mr. Cook were able to secure the $60,000 in urban renewal funds. The location at the Lucas County Recreation lands were established.

George used his handball knowledge and experience to determine the typical method of using cinder block coated with concrete was not robust. Over time, the walls developed cracks and caused the ball to bounce unpredictably.

The Rudolph Libbe construction company donated materials and developed a new construction technique to pour the walls flat in the winter of 1972. In 1973 a crane lifted the walls into place.

Construction was completed in 1973. In 1975, the United States Handball Association started hosting the National 3-Wall Championships in Maumee.

Lights and bleachers were added later.

In 2007, two regulation 1-wall courts were added to the south wall of the 3-wall courts.

In 2022, the 3-wall courts were renamed the George D. Miller Handball Courts after his passing in May.