Historic Brewster-Wheeler Center Transforms Into Wrestling Hub This Summer

Darren McCarty is opening up a $1 million state-of-the-art professional wrestling facility in Detroit, Michigan, in an iconic building that is nearly 100 years old.

Darren McCarty’s Grind Time Wrestling Academy has announced that they will be building a state-of-the-art facility in the Brewster-Wheeler Recreation Center, which opened up back in 1929.

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The center itself is legendary as it has served as the only public library in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Detroit, and eventually served as an athletic center where athletes like Joe Lewis regularly worked out.

It also served as the first road game that the Harlem Globetrotters played in 1932, and it has also hosted Sugar Ray Robinson and a few other notable boxers as well.

It’s currently serving as Kronk Gym, but by the middle of summer, renovations should be complete for the center to serve not only as a training ground, but also as an event center to watch professional wrestling shows put on by the academy:

This isn’t just a move; it’s a mission. We’re building a $1M, state-of-the-art facility to serve as the ultimate power plant for the next generation of wrestlers, managers, and referees. With two rings and a curriculum with a staff including Alex Shelley and Trey Miguel, we are setting the standard for development. Mid-Summer 2026. We’re moving downtown to share the air with Detroit’s icons. No more excuses. Real knowledge. Real experience. The grind is coming to the 313.

Detroit has always been a huge market for professional wrestling, so this development should be interesting to see just what kind of product they put on.