First Tee – Southern Colorado, City of Colorado Springs to celebrate new Youth Development Center at Valley Hi Golf Course

First Tee - Southern Colorado will break ground Friday, Oct. 2 at 4:30 p.m. on a new $1.2 million Youth Development Center at the City of Colorado Springs' Valley Hi Golf Course, creating a dedicated year-round space for young people to learn, build confidence and develop skills on and off the golf course.

The new approximately 2,000-square-foot center will replace the aging building First Tee currently uses at Valley Hi, which no longer meets the needs of its growing youth programs. The center will include two golf simulators, an indoor putting green, a multipurpose classroom, staff workspace, restrooms and storage and will support golf instruction, mentoring, leadership development and other youth programming throughout the year.

"This is a day we have been dreaming about for a long time," said Sandy Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of First Tee - Southern Colorado. "This building is about so much more than golf. It is about creating a place where young people feel like they belong, where they can build confidence, develop meaningful relationships with mentors, and learn skills that will help them succeed far beyond the golf course. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make this vision possible."

Valley Hi has been the home course of First Tee - Southern Colorado since the organization and the City established a partnership for onsite youth programming in 2013. First Tee constructed a practice area at Valley Hi in 2015 and a four-hole short course in 2016. The new Youth Development Center continues First Tee's investment at Valley Hi and in opportunities for young people throughout the community.

The City is supporting the project through its longstanding partnership with First Tee at Valley Hi. Under the agreement approved by City Council in September, the City will contribute up to $200,000 toward reconstruction costs from the Valley Hi Enterprise, while First Tee will lead construction and operate the new center for its programming.

"For more than a decade, the City and First Tee have partnered at Valley Hi around a simple but powerful idea: golf can be more than a game; it can be a pathway to confidence, character, belonging, and opportunity for young people," said Mayor Yemi Mobolade. "First Tee has continued to invest in Valley Hi and in the potential of our kids. Together, we are strengthening Valley Hi, creating opportunities for more young people, and building something today that will make a difference in their lives and our community for generations to come."

"The new First Tee Youth Development Center at Valley Hi represents an important investment in the young people and families of Southeast Colorado Springs," said City Council President Lynette Crow-Iverson. "When we create welcoming places where kids can learn, build confidence, develop character and connect with positive mentors, we strengthen not only our youth, but our entire community. This project brings the vision of the Southeast Strong Neighborhood Plan to life by investing in opportunities that help families and neighborhoods thrive."

First Tee uses golf as a platform for character-building and life-skills education. Through trained coaches and mentors, participants develop skills including perseverance, goal setting, confidence, collaboration and resilience. The new center will allow First Tee to provide more consistent, year-round programming and expand opportunities for clinics, camps and individualized instruction. First Tee plans to double annual participation in its core youth programs and grow its school and community partnerships.