Lulu’s Place: A $150M Legacy of Tennis, Education, and Community in Los Angeles
A groundbreaking ceremony on May 8 marked one of the largest philanthropic investments ever made for Los Angeles youth. The $150-million athletic and educational complex, named “Lulu’s Place,” honors Carol “Lulu” Richardson Kimmelman’s passion for tennis, teaching, and Southern California.
A Multifaceted Sports Haven Located on 31 acres of long-vacant land near LAX, Lulu’s Place will feature:
- Tennis courts
- Basketball courts
- Sand volleyball courts
- Full-length soccer fields
- Playgrounds
- Walking paths
- Dog park
The complex, set to complete construction in two years, will provide much-needed public sports and recreational facilities.
Legacy of a Champion Carol Kimmelman, known as “Lulu,” was a Riverside native and USC tennis champion who led her team to a national title in 1983. Later, as an LAUSD teacher in South Los Angeles, she advocated for equity in youth sports and educational opportunities.
Kimmelman’s love for L.A., her students, and her active lifestyle inspired this ambitious project. Despite her battle with ovarian cancer, she continued her passion for tennis and even founded her own spin cycle studio.
A Family’s Vision, A Community’s Future “Our goal is for Lulu’s Place to become a national model for making sports and education more equitable for youth,” said Doug Kimmelman, Lulu’s husband and leading donor. The project represents a once-in-a-generation investment toward inter-generational change.
The Kimmelman Family Foundation joins an impressive list of donors, including Jersey Mike’s, United States Tennis Foundation, TGR Foundation, and The Walt Disney Co., reflecting broad support for this transformative initiative.
Beyond Sports: Education and Opportunity In partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Lulu’s Place plans to incorporate a TGR Learning Lab on the adjacent St. Bernard campus. This collaboration underscores the project’s focus on comprehensive youth development.
Dr. Jennifer Winward, a mentee of Lulu’s, is developing special programs that introduce students to college and career opportunities they might not have otherwise known existed.
A Community Hub and National Model USTA chief executive Lew Sherr describes this as “the most significant undertaking by the USTA on the entire West Coast to bring high-quality tennis and academic programs together.” The project aims not only to inspire a new generation of tennis players but also to serve as a community hub providing resources for life success.
With an estimated 7 million annual visitors, Lulu’s Place is set to become a beacon of hope, empowerment, and opportunity for Los Angeles youth.
via: Yahoo
via: L.A. Times
