The current Central Fire Station located downtown at the corner of Caldwell and Locust had previously served as an armory since 1929.  When a new national guard armory was built in the industrial park in 1982, the city acquired the old armory to be used as a recreation center.

In 1984, this small sports center was named in honor of Joe B. McGee, who passed away that year.

In 1995, when a new sports center was built on College Avenue, the name moved with it to the new West Conway location.

McGee was a graduate of Conway High School and began covering Hendrix athletics part-time for the Log Cabin Democrat while a student at the school in the 1920’s.  He went on to work at the paper for over 50 years, mainly as a sportswriter and sports editor. He also worked in various other roles as well, including managing editor and writing about city business and government.   

As a civic leader, he was appointed by the governor to serve from 1961-1966 on the board of the Arkansas Children’s Colony, now known as the Arkansas Human Development Center.  He also served as a Conway alderman and as city clerk.

McGee also wrote for both the Arkansas Gazette and the Arkansas Democrat and was a well-known and well-respected newspaperman throughout the entire state.

He helped organize the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in the late 1950’s and was honored by the Hall with its meritorious service award in 1984.  He was inducted into the Hendrix Sports Hall of Honor in 2005.

In 2002, the city opened a skate park along the east side of the complex.