BOSTON – March 19, 2026 – Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, today announced the start of Phases 3 and 4 at Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center in Dorchester, Mass. Building on the successful completion of the first two phases in 2024, Kaplan will deliver additional renovations and an 8,300 SF addition to expand programming and enhance the overall campus experience.
Phase 3 introduces a new single-story steel and light-gauge metal-framed connector building constructed within the existing open-air breezeways between Sportsmen’s three court buildings. The addition will physically unify the campus while creating new locker rooms, a gym, and social gathering space for members and youth program participants. Additionally, the space will feature a permanent Breaking the Barriers exhibit celebrating the history of Black tennis in America and the athletes who challenged exclusion, along with another exhibit highlighting Billie Jean King’s fight for equal pay for women. This phase also includes two new outdoor tennis courts and additional outdoor recreation space at the rear of the property, expanding opportunities for summer camp and other programming.
Phase 4 focuses on the renovation and strategic expansion of existing first-floor spaces. The lobby will be relocated as a ground-level welcome center, allowing the current lobby space to be transformed into a new welcome center, while former office areas will be converted into a teaching kitchen, multi-purpose community space, and a viewing gallery. The work also includes a new pro shop and additional office space for staff, improving daily operations and supporting long-term growth. Careful coordination will allow the facility to remain active throughout construction, maintaining access for staff, tennis players, and youth learning center participants.
Founded in 1961, Sportsmen’s is the first indoor nonprofit tennis club built in the United States by and for the African American community. The organization combines tennis instruction with academic support, wellness initiatives, and youth development programming. With support from a wide community of donors and partners, Sportsmen’s secured $17.7 million of the $20 million required to complete the expansion. New Balance Foundation is among the major supporters helping to make this next phase possible.
In 2024, Kaplan Construction completed the first two phases of Sportsmen’s campus transformation, including the construction of a new 24,000 SF prefabricated building housing four indoor tennis courts and a connector linking the new and existing facilities. The work also included a 6,500 SF renovation of the enrichment program areas, reconfigured restrooms, and upgraded building systems. All work was completed within an active, occupied facility.
The project team members for Phases 3 and 4 include:
- Owner: Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center
- Owner’s Representative: New Atlantic Development
- Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction
- Architect: Utile
- Structural Engineer: RSE Associates
- MEP/FP Engineer: BLW Engineers
- Civil Engineer: Samiotes Consultants
- Geotechnical Engineer: McPhail Associates
- Landscape Architect: G2 Collaborative
Renderings courtesy of Utile