South County Center has been a landmark for many since the 1960’s.
For years South County Center was a hot spot for people ranging from kids, teenagers, adults, and even the elderly, but overtime as online shopping became popular CBL & Associates Properties inc. have decided it’s time to close the mall and renovate into a youth sport complex including two hockey rinks, hotels, and restaurants.
Many residents of St. Louis County remember this mall always being packed with people, resident Christine Thacker share’s her story of when she went as a little girl.
“When I was just a little girl many years ago my dad would always take me there, we lived in the city but loved the South County mall because of the hospitality and dedication from the organization that owns it,”
St. Louis County Councilman Mike Archer states that the area of where the mall is located, could bring people from out of town in by renovating to a sports complex.
“The facility would likely focus on youth sporting events that would attract visitors from out of town. It’s not yet known what facilities the development would create, but two ice rinks for youth hockey are a strong possibility, and one of the reasons the site originally became a retail center is its prime location at the intersection of South Lindbergh Boulevard, Lemay Ferry Road and interstates 255/270 and 55, and that positioning could increase the chances of success of the youth sports venture,”
Archer states CBL is supportive of the idea but has not commented on the idea publicly.
Explore St. Louis, a organization that promotes event’s and places to go in the St. Louis area commented on the benefits this change would bring.
“Sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing and most resilient segments of the visitor economy, and St. Louis is well positioned to compete for more events that drive both visitation and broader economic activity. The County’s resolution appropriately calls for an unbiased, credible study to assess whether redevelopment of South County Mall into a multi-faceted sports and event facility makes sense. That study should look at visitor demand, community use, the competitive landscape and the best long-term operating model so any future decisions are grounded in data and serve multiple community needs. Explore St. Louis looks forward to contributing insights and working with partners to help ensure that any future development balances community benefit and sustainable tourism growth,”
As the closure is surprising to many, residents of the St. Louis County and metropolitan area can only hope this renovation helps grow the tourism here in St. Louis.
