🌥️ No Sun in Kansas City? No Problem.

Sandlot Sports and Social
Aug 4
2 min read

This 14-Court Facility Has the Ultimate Winter Solution for Sand Volleyball

Best of the Midwest Podcast | Episode: Volleyball Beach – Kansas City

In this episode, Cody Beyer sits down with Matt Blevins, General Manager of Volleyball Beach in Kansas City, Missouri, to unpack how the iconic sand volleyball facility has grown into a year-round hub for both competitive and casual players alike.

🏐 A Beach in the Midwest?

Tucked into Martin City, just 20 minutes from downtown KC, Volleyball Beach is a 14-court outdoor sand volleyball complex that transforms in the winter with the help of an 8-court heated dome—one of the largest indoor sand domes in the nation.

“It’s one of the largest indoor sand domes in the country,” says Matt. “The Winter Digs setup lets us run leagues and tournaments no matter the season.”

🔄 From Bar Manager to GM

Matt shares his journey from managing the Beachside Bar & Grill to running the entire operation. Since the recent acquisition by Genesis Health Clubs, he’s focused on improving systems and experience without losing the authentic beach vibe.

“We’ve always had a strong community here,” Matt explains. “Now it’s about maintaining that energy while also improving the systems and experience.”

🏆 Leagues, Tournaments & Themes Galore

Volleyball Beach isn’t just about volleyball—it’s a social hub. They offer six nights of leagues (A to C divisions), weekend tournaments, charity events, and even themed nights like costume parties.

“Every weekend we try to have something special,” says Matt. “It keeps the crowd engaged and gives people more reasons to show up beyond just volleyball.”

💡 Tips for Other Facility Owners

Matt's advice to others running volleyball or recreational facilities:

Culture comes first – Build a place people want to hang out.
Invest in systems – Make registration and operations seamless.
Diversify – Host tournaments, fundraisers, and off-night events.

🥇 Best of the Midwest Tournament Shout-Out

Cody closes the show by inviting Volleyball Beach to participate in the upcoming Best of the Midwest Tournament, offering two free team entries as a thank-you for being part of the podcast.

📌 Key Takeaways:

Volleyball Beach runs year-round sand volleyball, including Winter Digs from November to April.
It features 14 outdoor courts and 8 indoor dome courts, making it a massive player hub.
They focus on strong community vibes, creative events, and continual improvement.
Now backed by Genesis Health Clubs, they’re growing without losing their identity.