With a former local star player, head coach and current highly-respected basketball teacher running the show, a soon-to-open complex in the area is preparing to open with the goal of rivaling sports complexes in the St. Louis and southwest Missouri areas as far as attracting regional and state talent.

The finishing touches are currently being put on the Wands Sports Complex, a 20,000-square foot facility located at 2261 on Old St. James Road in Rolla, about five miles from St. James. Having built the facility is Dale Wands, a minister and businessman from Rolla who is a lifelong sports fan. And he has put a familiar face in charge of the new project in his grandson, Kobe Wands.

Kobe Wands, age 28, is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of Rolla High School, who played there from 2012-16 and was a two-time prep all-stater.

A four-year varsity starter, Wands led Rolla to 50 wins in his final two seasons, finishing 26-3 overall and advancing to the Missouri Class 5 State Tournament Quarterfinals as a junior. In three of his four high school seasons, he shot 41 percent or more from three-point range. Wands later spent one season playing at Missouri-St. Louis before transferring to Westminster College, where he helped form a standout backcourt duo with his brother, Carter.

He got into coaching at Newburg High School. After serving as boys’ basketball assistant, Wands took over as Newburg head coach for three seasons, including 20-8 and 17-8 records in his final two. He then took over a rebuilding job as Sullivan High head coach, where he served the past two seasons before resigning to take over the sports complex. And over the years he has been given glowing reviews as a skills training instructor in the sport.

Kobe Wands will serve as manager of the Wands Sports Complex that will feature two, full-sized wooden basketball floors as well as four volleyball courts and six pickleball courts. In addition, Peak Physique, a weight-training facility owned and operated by Rolla’s Mike Sandifer, will be leasing a 40x40 sq. ft. weight room for training clientele at Wands Sports Complex. There are bleachers available for fans and parents to watch games, a full concession stand during tournament play and a lounge area for players, coaches and instructors. A concrete parking lot is currently under construction.

The concept of the facility came to fruition through a conversation between Kobe and his grandfather - Dale Wands - concerning a possible place where Kobe could train players.

“I went to him and said, ‘Let’s build a half-court basketball court,’” Kobe Wands said. “He came back and said, ‘Let’s do it bigger, like two basketball courts and volleyball courts.’ I said, “‘Yeah, let’s roll!’”

“I realized there was nowhere for him to have workouts,” Dale Wands said. “One thing led to another and I thought if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right.”

In part through Kobe’s unique contacts as a collegiate player, high school head coach and trainer, the Wands family feels the new complex can blossom into a premier state and regional facility for basketball, volleyball and pickleball leagues and tournaments as well as team and individual skills and weight training.

“It will be super comparable to the Strafford Sports Complex and the Bradley Beal Center in St. Louis,” Kobe Wands said. “It’s not as big, but very comparable to Strafford. Primarily we’re going through youth in basketball; they are always looking for places to play. Our town, the community and region really need something like this for our youth. We plan to host things individually, leagues or tournaments in basketball, volleyball or pickleball.

“Location-wise, it’s sitting in the middle of everywhere. And we’ve already heard from (coaches and school/organization officials) from communities like Rolla, St. James, Camdenton, Lebanon, Waynesville, St. Clair, Salem, Steelville, Cuba, Bourbon, Owensville and Newburg. And we’ve got some other things in the works. S&T volleyball has inquired about maybe using our courts this coming season; the Licking (Basketball, Volleyball) Shootouts want to come for next year; the Rolla Homeschool Association is interested, and the S.I.R. (Sports Inc. Rolla) wants to run a league with us.”

“It could be a state-wide facility,” Dale Wands said. “It’s almost unlimited, what could be done here.”

Kobe Wands has received glowing recommendations from those who have dealt with him for his knowledge and abilities in basketball.

“I’ve gotten to see Kobe in action when he was a player and as a coach and skills training instructor,” Rolla High boys’ basketball head coach Mark Miller said. “He’s always been one of the best in whatever role he’s been in. He’s very encouraging and a mentoring type of instructor. This is a big deal for us. Kobe’s facility will give our guys the opportunity for great skills training. It’s really a great thing for the region.”

The facility will tentatively be open in a few days - possibly the end of July or early August. Dale Wands had hopes of opening earlier but ran into some weather-related roadblocks.

“Weather was a big factor in starting,” he said. “The guy doing (the construction) had another big job. But it was just a unique opportunity where things fell into place. It is something our family will enjoy running. And the Rolla area has nothing like this.”

Persons, schools or organizations wanting information on the Wands Sports Complex can contact Kobe Wands at kobewands11@gmail.com

There will also be website, Facebook page and other social media outlets eventually available to fill out time slots, rent the facility or obtain other information for individuals, teams, schools and organizations.