On Saturday, July 17, more than 300 supporters, community members, and SEA network leaders gathered in San Diego to celebrate the grand opening of Access Youth Academy’s new $12 million youth center. Equipped with seven singles courts, one doubles court, two classrooms, a computer lab, and office space, the facility will become a permanent home for the fifteen-year old program and enable it to expand the services it offers young people and squash players in the community. 

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber were among the attendees at the grand opening. The project was made possible with the support of a $5.5 million grant from the city of San Diego. Also in attendance at the opening were students and alumni of the program, and leaders from across the SEA network, including SquashBusters CEO Greg Zaff, SEA Executive Director Tim Wyant, Racquet Up Detroit Executive Director Derek Aguirre, Washington Education & Squash Academy Executive Director Kate Frost, Kids on Point Executive Director Lauren Herterich, MetroSquash CEO David Kay, SquashDrive Executive Director Patrick Williams, SEA’s Founding Board Chair Bill Simon, and President and CEO of US Squash Kevin Klipstein.

“Access Youth Academy’s new facility is extraordinary and will enable Renato and his team to significantly enhance and expand the support they provide students and families in San Diego,” said SEA Executive Director Tim Wyant. “Attending the grand opening alongside so many leaders from the SEA network was inspiring and a powerful reminder of what is possible for our network.”

The new space will enable Access to introduce SEA’s intensive youth development model to more young people in San Diego and offer expanded activities and services to the broader community. Prior to the facility’s formal opening, Access hosted two week-long summer camps, and later in July ran an international junior squash tournament in the space.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved with Access Youth Academy, contact Executive Director Renato Paiva. Check out some of the local coverage highlighting the program and its new home below!