Crosswhite Athletic Club Property Sold, Reopening as Hill City Sports Center

Paauw family acquires Lynchburg sports complex for $5.65 million as founder Ben Crosswhite pursues a new personal training venture.

One of Lynchburg's best-known sports and recreation facilities is entering a new chapter.

The Paauw family has acquired Crosswhite Athletic Club and plans to rename the facility Hill City Sports Center, with the ownership transition already underway.

According to the new ownership group, the facility will undergo renovations and program expansion aimed at increasing youth sports, family recreation, tournaments, and community programming.

CROSSWHITE ATHLETIC CLUB

The announcement follows the recent sale of the Crosswhite Athletic Club property for approximately $5.65 million, one of the larger commercial real estate transactions recorded in Lynchburg this year. Jason Porter of Legacy Realty and Development represented the transaction.

Crosswhite Athletic Club has long served Lynchburg-area families through youth athletics, fitness programs, tennis, swimming, and dedicated events. The new owners say they intend to build on that foundation while positioning the facility as a larger regional destination for sports and recreation.

Ben Crosswhite has been a prominent figure in Lynchburg athletics for the last decade, helping build Crosswhite Athletic Club into one of the region's most recognizable destinations for youth sports, recreation, fitness, and family activities.

The transaction does not mark the end of Crosswhite's involvement in local athletics. He is developing a nearby facility under his current business name that will continue his focus on personal training, albeit on a smaller scale than the current club.

Crosswhite cited the size of the current operation, including facility maintenance, employee management, and the demands of operating a seven-day-a-week business.

"Many businesses are not open seven days a week, and over time that schedule can take its toll," Crosswhite said.

"Amanda and I have prayed about this and feel this is the right next step for our family and for the facility," he added.

HILL CITY SPORTS CENTER

Planned improvements include expanded youth and adult sports leagues, additional instructional programming, new childcare offerings, restaurant enhancements, and increased capacity to host tournaments and events.

The ownership group said it plans to work with the City of Lynchburg to help address athletic facility needs within the community, including additional space for local school sports programs and events.

The facility will operate under the Hill City Sports Center name and will be managed by Eastern Sports Management, a national sports facility management company that oversees sports and recreation facilities across the country.

The new owners also recognized Crosswhite and the previous ownership group for their role in establishing the club as a community asset over the years. “We are incredibly excited to build on the strong foundation that Crosswhite Athletic Club already has within the Lynchburg community." the Hill City Sports Center ownership group said. "Our commitment is to create a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that brings people together through sports, recreation, and shared experiences, while also developing a destination that draws visitors from across the region.”

Halle Paauw will assume general manager responsibilities for the facility. Dr. James Paauw will continue his ophthalmology practice at Piedmont Eye Center while participating in the ownership group.

Additional information regarding renovations, programming, memberships, and future events is expected to be released in the coming months.

By the Numbers

• Sale price: Approximately $5.65 million
• Sale closed: May 27, 2026
• Ownership transition: May 27, 2026
• New name: Hill City Sports Center
• Management company: Eastern Sports Management
• Planned additions: Expanded sports programming, childcare services, restaurant improvements, and tournament-hosting capabilities

As the Paauw family and Eastern Sports Management begins operations as Hill City Sports Center and Ben Crosswhite continues his work in personal training and fitness, Lynchburg's recreation landscape appears poised for growth. Rather than losing a community asset, the transition could ultimately create expanded opportunities through the Paauw family's vision for a reimagined sports center and Crosswhite's continued presence in Greater Lynchburg fitness training.