FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Deneen Busby, VP, Marketing & Communications Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis 2901 N. Grand Ave., St. Louis, MO 63107 Direct: 314-680-7998 | deneen@bgcstl.org
Thomas Pool, Assistant Executive Director, Gateway PGA / PGA REACH Gateway Direct: 636-486-4063 | tpool@pgahq.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Breaks Ground on ‘Great Futures Academy,’ a First-of-Its-Kind National Model in Partnership with PGA REACH Gateway”
The new multi-sport complex adjacent to the Herbert Hoover Club will bring a golf driving range and two soccer pitch fields to North St. Louis youth
- LOUIS, Mo. — September 10, 2026 — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) announced today that ground is set to break on the “Great Futures Academy,” a multi-million dollar multi-sport complex located next to the organization’s flagship Herbert Hoover Club at 2901 North Grand Boulevard. The project is being developed in partnership with PGA REACH Gateway
Fencing and equipment have already been installed on the property, marking the first visible progress on a project that has been more than a decade in the making for the two organizations.
The idea for the Great Futures Academy traces back to a successful bid to host the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club. That bid included a commitment to leave a lasting community impact beyond the tournament’s single week in St. Louis, rather than the Championship simply coming to town and leaving. The Great Futures Academy represents the fulfillment of that commitment, more than eight years later.
Once complete, the Great Futures Academy will feature a golf driving range developed in partnership with PGA REACH Gateway, along with a pair of soccer pitch fields built in partnership with St. Louis City SC and the U.S. Soccer Foundation. The complex is designed to give Club members direct, ongoing access to both sports without leaving their neighborhood, pairing skill development with the mentorship and enrichment programming BGCSTL is known for.
The Great Futures Academy will be a shared community asset for North St. Louis residents and veterans. The complex will provide year-round access to quality golf and soccer facilities, creating opportunities for recreation, wellness, skill development, and community engagement. Designed to inspire the next generation of athletes, the Academy will serve as a place where young people can discover new passions, develop their talents, and pursue dreams that may one day lead to collegiate and professional competition.
“This is a long-term investment in the young people of North St. Louis. Every child deserves access to opportunities that inspire confidence, character, and hope. The Great Futures Academy removes barriers by bringing premier golf and soccer facilities directly to our youth, ensuring they have the same opportunities to learn, compete, and grow as children anywhere else. This is what investing in our community looks like,” said Brandon Williams, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.
“This project stands out because it brings transformative opportunities directly to where our youth live and play,” said Ali Wells, PGA, Executive Director of PGA REACH Gateway. “Together with BGCSTL, we’re using sports as a vehicle to teach patience, build confidence, and invest in the next generation of St. Louis leaders.”
REMIGERDESIGN has a long-term relationship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and has been leading the Design Process for this project since 2014. Engineering consultants include David Mason and Associates and SCI Engineering.
ARCO Construction Company, a design-build firm headquartered in St. Louis, is the general contractor for the project.
“ARCO is proud to be part of a project that represents a lasting investment in the St. Louis community,” said Matt Sander, President of ARCO Construction Company. “As a company that has called St. Louis home for more than three decades, we understand the importance of building more than facilities. We’re helping build opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and envision what’s possible. The Great Futures Academy is a meaningful example of what can happen when organizations come together with a shared commitment to strengthening our community and creating a brighter future for the next generation.”
For more information on the Great Futures Academy, visit greatfuturesacademystl.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports, and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs serve youth across the region at six locations, including the Adams Park Club, Bethalto Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, and the Teen Center of Excellence. We also operate Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program.
About PGA REACH Gateway
PGA REACH Gateway is the charitable arm of Gateway PGA, dedicated to positively impacting the lives of youth, military members, and diverse populations through the game of golf. Through programs including PGA HOPE and player development initiatives, PGA REACH Gateway works to grow the game and create pathways into golf for those who might not otherwise have access.