Important FWTEC Facility Update (1/8/2026)

Dear FWTEC Community, 

There has been a significant increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic as well as protest activity in the area as FWTEC is located across the street from the Henry Whipple Federal Building, where the Department of Homeland Security is located.  

The safety and security of our players and staff is a top priority. We made the decision to close early last night and remained closed today due to difficulty accessing the facility and out of an abundance of caution. We expect to return to regular operating hours at 7am on Friday, January 9. 

As we move into the coming days, I wanted to reinforce our policies and our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment. 

• Usage of our facility is restricted to FWTEC patrons and guests only.  

• ALL individuals must check-in at the front desk and have a tennis/FWTEC reason to be in the building. 

• People have the right to exercise their first amendment right to protest, and we are on public land. It is okay if people are observing or protesting on the sidewalk. It is NOT okay to block a road, entry into our parking lot, or to park in a non-parking zone. 

• We work in partnership with the Minneapolis Park Police to address any concerns on the property. 

• We have added extra staffing for open and closing shifts. 

Thank you for your understanding. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.  

In partnership, 

Christine Nickels 
Executive Director