ADVANTAGE YOUTH
Saint Paul Urban Tennis new facility rendering

Advancing Youth

Over our 32-year history, Saint Paul Urban Tennis has touched the lives of more than 75,000 Saint Paul youth and their families. Today, we work with more than 2,000 youth ages five to 18 annually, but with our growth comes new necessities – we've outgrown our current space and as a result,  are launching the Advantage Youth Campaign to build the new East Side Youth Development & Tennis Center. This will be a $25 million project, funded by a mix of public and private sources, including SPUT’s existing equity, allocations from the state, capital campaign fundraising, state cash appropriation, tax credits and city funding.

Make a Difference Today

Tennis is more than a sport – it's a supportive outlet for youth. Financial barriers often prevent low-wealth and BIPOC youth from participating, but you can help change that. By donating to the Youth Advantage campaign, you support the East Side Youth Development & Tennis Center, which will provide a safe place for kids to learn and grow, create local jobs, and become a center hub for the community. Your contribution fosters equity and creates opportunities for all. 

Donate
Interior of new SPUT facility rendering

A Glimpse Into the Future

SPUT has secured a dynamic site in the heart of Saint Paul’s East Side that meets the organization’s short- and long-term goals. Accessible by public transportation, the 125,000-square-foot state-of-the-art athletic facility would provide ample space to accommodate SPUT’s needs, including 10 indoor courts and multi-purpose and community spaces.

The Why?

Tennis participation has been shown to positively influence the lives of youth, but financial disparity is a significant barrier that prevents involvement. Through an increased capacity to serve and an equity investment, this development levels the playing field for low-wealth and BIPOC youth. The new facility will provide a safe space for youth to engage in on- and off-court programming that instills a sense of responsibility and accountability.

The new center will  allow for 52 weeks of tennis programming and additional programs including:


  • The expansion of middle school tennis and leadership programming.


  • The expansion of SPUT’s Warrior Leadership Academy, which sees 100% of its high school senior participants graduate – vs. Saint Paul Public School’s graduation rate of 75%.


  • Provisions for adaptive and accessible tennis programming for individuals who use wheelchairs or have physical disabilities.

Youth Who Play Tennis . . .

48%

Get Better Grades

73%

Are Better Behaved

81%

Say They Will Attend College

90%

Are More Community-Minded and Well-Rounded

Economic and Environmental Justice

Historically, East Siders haven’t been included extensively in development plans for their community. The East Side community is home to significant racial disparities in areas of health, environment and housing and has traditionally been excluded from political input. The development of the East Side Youth Development & Tennis Center is expected to:

Boost economic vitality by . . .

» Creating local jobs, both for the buildout and ongoing employment.

» Attracting tournaments and events that positively impact local hotel,  food and retail establishments.

» Serving as a catalytic investment on the East Side, we expect this development to spur additional economic growth.

Deter crime and improve quality of life for the community by . . .

» Providing a safe and welcoming place where kids can be themselves, surrounded by the care, validation, and focus of adults.

» Helping youth build social connections and understand the power of work within their local community.

Revitalizing the physical environment for East Side residents by . . .

» Transforming an abandoned and contaminated construction dump into a valuable asset in the middle of a disinvested residential community.

» Creating a green space and recreational facility in Ramsey County’s largest park desert.

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