Region’s Largest Multi-Sport and Education Center Opens On Far South Side of Chicago

More than 300 members of the Pullman and Roseland community celebrated the grand opening of the new $20 million Pullman Community Center at 10355 S. Woodlawn Ave. Photo Credit: Provided by the Pullman Community Center
More than 300 members of the Pullman and Roseland community celebrated the grand opening of the new $20 million Pullman Community Center at 10355 S. Woodlawn Ave. Photo Credit: Provided by the Pullman Community Center

Region’s Largest Multi-Sport and Education Center Opens On Far South Side of Chicago

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

A grand opening ceremony was recently held for the new Pullman Community Center

located on 10355 S. Woodlawn Ave. The 135,000 square-foot complex features three indoor turf playing fields for baseball, soccer, football and lacrosse, three hardwood courts for volleyball and basketball, batting cages, and classrooms where free tutoring will be offered for student-athletes.

“I am forever grateful to everyone for their part in making this a reality in my community. You are looking at a $20 million facility that right now has only a $2.5 million mortgage. That means that we have raised $17 million for this project and what that will do for us is make sure that the community can use this facility without digging into their pockets,” said Anthony Beale, 9th Ward Alderman.

Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) residents will have the first priority for 10% of all programming and team roster slots and will have all associated fees waived. The Pullman Community Center will also provide transportation to and from the Altgeld/ Murray, Trumbull and Lowden Homes at no cost to its residents. On the Far South Side, there are about 6,600 young people between the ages of 5 and 17 who are living in CHA housing that will now have access to the Community Center, according to a press release announcing the grand opening.

“More importantly, with building a facility like this, is the fact that anyone that is enrolled in this facility can receive free tutoring and ACT and SAT prep across the board. What we want to do here today is make sure that we understand that we are going to produce smart athletes in this facility,” said Beale.

The Pullman Community Center has the capacity to host up to 1,200 teams and 50,000 participants and visitors annually, according to a press release announcing the grand opening.

Some of the sports programs that will be offered at the Pullman Community Center include sports skills training and coaching, league and tournament sports, 3-point shooting contests. The education programs that will be offered include, technology training, reading, writing and math skills tutoring, ACT exam prep, work-readiness,

entrepreneurship and financial literacy, mentoring and personal development, and sports facility management certifications. Additional programming will be offered during school holidays and vacations.

“I’m glad to be here today and to have played a small role in helping to bring this together and I’ll be coming back often. I won’t be kicking a soccer ball, but I’ll be walking through here taking a look around and knowing that this is what builds a community, what builds a neighborhood, and what gives you a vision for the future,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

The Community Center will employ as many as 100 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees, coaches, instructors, and management annually.

To register for a program or for a schedule of all available programs and additional Pullman Community Center information, please visit www.pccindoorsports.com.

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