BOSTO – Kaplan Construction announced the completion of renovations for Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center in Dorchester, Mass.
For over 60 years, Sportsmen’s has leveraged tennis to open doors of opportunity for youth in some of Boston’s most underserved communities.
Kaplan was hired to provide preconstruction and construction management services for two phases of the nonprofit club’s capital improvements plan. The project was led by New Atlantic Development serving as the owner’s project manager, and Bergmeyer and Utile Inc. as the architects of record for Phase 1 and 2A, respectively. Sportsmen’s received complimentary engineering support from the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Tennis Venue Services.
“These renovations mark a major milestone in our mission to provide an updated and accessible space for our tennis community,” said Toni Wiley, CEO of Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center. “Kaplan Construction’s expertise in navigating these complex projects within an active and occupied facility was essential, allowing us to continue serving our members throughout the process.”
Phase 1 involved the construction of a new 24,000 SF prefabricated building to house four additional tennis courts. The project also included installing new frost wall foundations, site drainage, and pole lighting for three adjacent outdoor courts. The new lighting enables Sportsmen’s to extend their outdoor play hours, providing broader access for community members. Rather than pouring all-new foundations, Kaplan strategically cut, modified, and reinforced the existing foundation to support the new building loads. New fire water and domestic water services were also provided, including fire protection coverage in the new building. A connector building was constructed to link the new structure to the existing facility.
Phase 2A focused on the 6,500 SF interior renovation of Sportsmen’s enrichment program area, including after-school classrooms and administrative offices. The existing bathrooms and locker rooms were reconfigured to increase storage and create accessible facilities, featuring new lighting, plumbing fixtures, floor and wall tile, and toilet partitions. The project was phased to ensure one floor of the enrichment space remained operational at all times. Sprinkler coverage was installed in the new areas, as well as in the existing tennis court buildings and restrooms. This work was carefully coordinated around a fully operational club and summer camp activities, presenting an additional challenge.
Founded in 1961, Sportsmen’s is the first indoor nonprofit tennis club built in the United States by and for the African American community. From the beginning, their mission has been to build leaders on the court, in the classroom and in the greater community by providing academic, wellness, and social development programs alongside recreational and competitive tennis instruction for youth and adults. The newly expanded facility increases their indoor capacity by nearly 60%, enabling more free and subsidized play, expanded coaching opportunities, and a broader range of programs and tournaments. The final phase of Sportsmen’s campaign, Phase 2B, will bring further enhancements to the facility, including a relocated lobby and reception area, a new welcome center, and additional outdoor courts.
The project team members for Phase 1 include:
Owner/Developer: Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center
Owner’s Representative: New Atlantic Development
Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction
Architect: Bergmeyer
Structural Engineer: H+O Structural Engineering
MEP/FP Engineer: Fiskaa Engineering
Civil Engineer: Samiotes Consultants Inc.
The project team members for Phase 2A include:
Owner/Developer: Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center
Owner’s Representative: New Atlantic Development
Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction
Architect: Utile Inc.
Structural Engineer: RSE Associates Inc.
MEP/FP Engineer: BLW Engineers.
