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City of Dallas is very close to awarding management rights of the Kiest Tennis Center in Oak Cliff (Dallas,TX) to Impact Activities, a profit-driven company. The KTC is currently managed by the Dallas Tennis Association which provides not for profit services to many kids in our community ❤️

We need the entire community to come and speak out against this!!! May 27th at 8:30am in Dallas City Hall

 

  Rally for Kiest  

 

Join us as we rally in support of Kiest Tennis Center and make our voices heard for community tennis and youth programs.

We’ll also have Red Ball Tennis outside while our community comes together in support of Kiest.

 

Dallas City Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 27 at 9:00 AM
Dallas City Hall

 

Bring your family, your friends, and your voice.

 

Anyone wishing to speak at a meeting should sign up with the City Secretary’s Office by calling (214) 670-3738 by 5:00 p.m. of the last regular business day preceding the meeting. Citizens can find out the name of their representative and their voting district by calling the City Secretary’s Office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As parents of students in the tennis program, we have witness first-hand the transformative power of the program in our community. Our children are part of this invaluable program, which runs five days a week, two hours a day, and has made a significant difference in their lives. It's more than just tennis—it's a community where caring coaches mentor our children, offering not only sports training but essential academic support, such as math tutoring on Fridays. 

The City of Dallas is proposing to take away the management license from this exceptional program and hand it to a profit-driven company. This decision could drastically alter, if not dissolve, the positive community environment that has been cultivated here. Many underserved students, especially those under the age of 18, rely on this program not only for physical activity but also for personal development and academic assistance. 

It's important to highlight that the existing management has created a safe, nurturing, and inclusive atmosphere where kids from our underserved area can grow. The focus has consistently been on community building and providing opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. Losing this program in its current form would be detrimental to the community, risking the well-being and future of our children.

We urge City of Dallas to reconsider this decision and recognize the impact such a community-focused initiative has on its participants. Rather than shifting focus to profit-oriented companies, we should prioritize programs that uplift our communities and provide essential support to our youth.

Kiest Tennis Center has the ability to host community-wide events outside of regular practice hours, creating opportunities for families and residents across Dallas to come together through tennis, education, and cultural celebration. Throughout the year, the center hosts special events recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and other community celebrations that welcome participants of all backgrounds.

Because the organization oversees and operates the tennis center directly, it is able to provide these events to the community without passing additional financial burdens onto families or participants. These events often include free tennis clinics and programming for youth ages 18 and under, helping introduce children to the sport, promote healthy activities, and create positive community engagement in a safe and supportive environment.

Annual Free Events for Kids:
Black History Month
Glow Tennis Teen Night
ATA Prelude to Nationals The Family Heritage community PlayDay
National Tennis month PlayDay
Juneteenth Event
Chase Event
National Hispanic Heritage Month Event

Please join us in advocating for the continued management of our beloved tennis center by signing this petition. Let's ensure our children continue to have access to this vital program and the dedicated support it provides. Your signature can help make a difference in the lives of these young individuals and our community as a whole.

 

Protect Kiest Tennis Center from Being Taken over by Impact Activities

 

We, the undersigned are concerned about the proposed acquisition and management of Kiest Tennis Center by Impact Activities. Kiest Tennis Center has long been a vital part of the community, providing a safe welcoming and inclusive space for players of all ages and skill levels. Allowing Impact Activities to take over could lead to:

 

Limited access for residents and players

Loss of the unique community focused

Potential increase in fees and reduced availability for residents/players

Decisions being driven by profit rather than the needs of our local tennis community

Thank you for the following testimonials: 

 

My name is Martin Nguyen, and I am the head tennis coach for the Pinkston Viking Tennis Tennis. Dr. L.G. Pinkston, Sr. High School has the privilege of having two courts to use and practice during the school year. I say privileged as our old campus did not have any tennis courts on campus. Privileged since Conrad and many other schools have to use free-use courts like Fair Oaks or neighborhood courts to have a decent practice. We are also very privileged that Kiest Tennis Center has kept a great relationship with Dallas Independent School District providing clean, beautiful, and overall well-maintained courts for some underprivileged kids that Pinkston and many other schools serve. Kids from all walks of life can come to Kiest, for an hour or more, and feel what other privileged kids feel, to have great facilities and to be treated the same no matter which side of Dallas they may be from. To have many courts to carry out full matches, matches that cannot be completed at Pinkston and schools with two courts or less, is in itself something both parties need. To have the partnership of Dallas ISD and Kiest Tennis Center is essential and crucial for the betterment of the sport in the city of Dallas. 

 

As I have coached for Pinkston for almost a full school year, my players have spent more time at Kiest learning, laughing, and working hard. Please read their stories of Kiest and what this great tennis center means to them:

 

My name is Jaliyah Spencer, I am a junior, and I play tennis for L.G. Pinkston High School. I've been playing at Kiest for all my 3 years of highschool so far. I just want to say that I love Kiest and I love the employees. They always have a positive attitude and welcomed our team no matter what day it was. They are the best and they’ve been such great hosts to our matches and tournaments. Kiest was the first tennis court I played on, Kiest was the place where I won my first district tournament medal, it was the place where I received my first district tournament gold medal. Kiest was the place that sent me to regionals 2 times. I have so many memories there. I’ve spent my birthday there, I’ve won matches there, I’ve lost matches there, I’ve met new friends there, I’ve watched great matches there, I learned so much at Kiest. I don't want to have to go to another tennis court to play my matches, I really don't. And I know I'm not the only person in DISD who doesn’t want to either. All respect to the higher-up’s who are reading this, but I truly do not think it's fair to just take away the courts we use, the courts the babies and young kids use, the courts the old-heads use, and the court the community uses. I don’t think it's fair nor do I think it’s rational. I really hope and pray that you guys give this a second thought, there are so many people who love these employees, who love these courts, who love the energy here. I'm definitely one of those people. I want Kiest to stay. 

 

- Jaliyah Spencer, Junior, 3 years played 
 

Kiest Tennis Center is the centerpiece of my tennis career. From 10th to 12th grade, most of my matches were at Kiest tennis center. Where my first loss and victory occurred. Where the district tournament is held, which I have won at Kiest. Not only my matches at Kiest played a factor, but also the welcoming atmosphere and employees there. That makes going to Kiest even more enjoyable. The Kiest tennis center is what makes every tennis team feel more united. When most DISD schools play mostly at Kiest Tennis Center, it feels like home. With every other tennis site we go to, it doesn’t feel the same as Kiest. No other site ever will, because Kiest Tennis Tenter holds my heart truly for all the memories, good or bad. I want other upcoming tennis players to feel the same way about Kiest as I do. Truly, Kiest Tennis Center is home.

 

- Shakiem Davis, Senior, 3 years played
 

The Kiest Tennis Center holds so much value and memories for me. It was here where I played my first match, bought my first racket, and shared some of the best memories with my team. This spot has all the resources and opportunities that I could ask for and the same goes for many other people. The location is very convenient and easy to access giving many people the chance to hone their skills when needed. With a cherry on top being all the staff are so helpful and genuine, making you feel welcomed every visit. I believe in every sport played there has to be a place that you consider home and for all the right reasons Kiest is where I have found mine.

 

- Kendrick Hunter, Junior, 1 year played
 

For me, Kiest Tennis Center was the start of my tennis career. I’ve been playing tennis for 11 years and the majority of those years were played at Kiest Tennis Center. I am grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been able to have while being a part of the DTEA tennis program at Kiest. They have done lots of great things for the Dallas community. Thank you Kiest Tennis Center. 

 

- Malcolm Moore, Junior, 11 years played