Missoula YMCA adds largest outdoor squash courts in America; open to the public

On Friday, the nonprofit teamed up with an organization called Missoula Community Squash to cut the ribbon on two brand new, regulation-sized squash courts at the Y’s outdoor Airnasium facility. The Airnasium is free and open to the general public during non-programmed hours, but the Y is always accepting new members as well, for people who want to use the pool and other amenities.

Squash is a little like racquetball, but it’s played with different rackets, different balls and different styles of play. Most squash facilities are indoor, so Missoulians will be able to, for example, watch a sunset or play in the crisp winter air because there’s a roof on the Airnasium.

The project is the result of what the Y says was a grassroots fundraising campaign led by Missoula Community Squash, which raised over $225,000 from local and national donors. It was backed by U.S. Squash, the Squash Education Alliance, the National Squash League and Open Squash, along with support from the Y and Harrow Rackets.

Heather Foster, CEO of the Missoula Family YMCA, was watching a few kids have a blast in the new courts on Friday.

"This is going to be open and accessible, so anybody can come," she said. "I feel like squash has maybe been a sport that hasn't been very accessible. It's mostly in kind of private clubs, country clubs, expensive gyms. So we wanted to figure out how we could make a sport like this accessible to everybody. It's been a really fun community to work with, a really passionate group of people."

10-year-old Finn Anderson and a group of his friends were busy trying out the sport for the first time on Friday.

"It's really fun, but it takes a little practice," he said.

The Y will be able to rent people rackets, balls and eye protection during business hours.

“One of the most exciting trends in squash today is seeing the game take root in new geographies,” said Mollie Samaan, CEO of U.S. Squash. “The partnership with the Missoula YMCA exemplifies that spirit, and thanks to innovations in court construction, opportunities like this are becoming increasingly achievable for communities that may never have considered squash before. We are proud to support this groundbreaking project and excited about the impact these new courts will have on generations of players in not only Montana but also throughout the United States.”

The Airnasium already has dedicated pickleball and basketball space. It’s located at 3000 S. Russell Street.

After the ribbon-cutting, the Y held a kids’ squash camp to teach the basics.

“Squash has been a big part of my life since I was a kid myself,” said Matt Baker-White of Missoula Community Squash. “This project puts our hometown of Missoula on the national squash map. We’ve built something truly world-class here, and we’re thrilled to share it with players from across the country. Most importantly, our group is excited to build a community of squash players of all ages and grow the game here in western Montana.”

The Y also hosted top 10 world squash players on Friday evening, as well as community clinics on Saturday.

“At the Y, we are often the first place people try something new,” Foster said. “It might be the first place a child learns to swim, plays basketball, kicks a soccer ball or, now, steps onto a squash court for the first time. Missoula Community Squash has been an incredible partner. Their passion and drive have helped make this possible, and we are thrilled to be part of bringing squash to Missoula.”

For more information, visit Missoula Community Squash on Instagram.

The entire YMCA recently underwent a massive $20 million upgrade.