27 April 2017

Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC) to Keep One Tennis Dome Up Through Summer

Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center (FWTEC), also known as The Fort, in St. Paul, has informed the Minneapolis Park Board of its intention to leave the main tennis bubble dome that provides year-round indoor tennis play in place for the summer months.

The Fort, a nonprofit tennis and educational center resides on land owned by the Park Board and provides affordable tennis programs and facilities to Minneapolis and St. Paul schools and communities.

In the past, both domes that provide winter tennis coverage have been taken down at the beginning of June to allow outdoor play for education, junior and adult programming. This allows for natural tennis conditions for the summer months on The Fort's eight USTA regulation courts. This year, only one of the two domes that serve The Fort will be dismantled.

"The dome attached to the building is showing the wear and tear of age," said Esther Tsai, The Fort's interim executive director, "It was recommended by the dome manufacturer that we not bring the dome down this summer. We will be able to play indoors here on rainy days so there are a few benefits to keeping the dome up."

The bubble dome will be equipped with circulating air fans to provide summer like temperatures in the dome. The second bubble dome that houses five tennis courts will be dismantled for the summer months providing natural outdoor conditions for summer play.

Both domes at The Fort were erected in 2002 and will be replaced in summer 2019 after a capital campaign is completed to allow for upgrade and refurbishment of The Fort's facilities.

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Our mission:  We bring people together of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to embrace the lifelong game of tennis while serving un-resourced youth with the support of the Community.

Contact:

Kaitlin, Development Manager
Kaitlin@fwtec.org