V3 Sports will open to the public on Saturday, June 22nd, bringing to life a vision founder Erika Binger had 15 years ago.
MINNEAPOLIS — The V3 Center is located at the corner of Lyndale and Plymouth avenues in north Minneapolis. It’s a 40,000-square-foot multi-use activity space.
“We’re very excited,” said V3 Sports Founding Director Erica Binger. “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
The center is scheduled to open on Saturday, June 22, realizing a vision that Binger has had for 15 years.
Reggie: “Why did you decide to do this?”
Erica: “North Minneapolis has a lot of great programs, as well as infrastructure, so we recognized a need for infrastructure that could provide resources to the 12,000-plus kids that live within a 15-minute walk of here. So we made a very intentional decision to create a great space to provide that directly to North Minneapolis, to our kids, so they could have the same opportunities and the same connections and relationships as their families.”
Binger is a triathlete who has dedicated his life to giving back to society.
“What’s really impressive is that the young people that I mentored from 2007 to 2014 are coming in and just wowed and saying, ‘This is for us,'” Binger said. “They’ve heard me talk about this space and they’re blown away. They’re actually seeing it. They’re utilizing it and they’re mentoring here as well. They’re realizing that if they create a vision, start working, make connections and relationships and throw out the plan, they can actually achieve their goals.”
Malik Rucker is Executive Director of V3 Sports.
“Sports is one of the greatest community builders there is in the world, and V3 brings families together,” Rucker said.
Reggie: “How did your relationship with V3 Sports begin?”
Malik: “I worked for the Minnesota Twins. I come from a sports business background, literally born and raised on Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis. The V3 Center is on Plymouth Avenue. The concept of time was just an idea back then, but our family says yes. It really aligns with my values and career path.”
Rucker has lived on the north side for five generations and wants to make a big impact in the community.
“We want to make Minneapolis waterproof, and that means everyone who learns to swim will be waterproof,” Rucker said.
In fact, water is a big focus in V3.
“Swimming is such a part of our lives, especially in Minnesota,” Rucker said, “and we know there are drowning disparities in our community, so being able to create resources like this to help people learn to swim is important to us.”
“What we’re trying to redefine is that relationship with the water,” Binger said. “If a young person doesn’t know how to swim and doesn’t have that connection to the water, they’re missing out on that opportunity, so we’re really creating a pathway for them to start on a level playing field.”
The V3 Centre is an evolving space of opportunity, inspired by and responsive to the needs of people in our community.
Reggie: “What is your long term vision for V3 Sports?”
Erica: “We intend to be a place where events can take place. In phase two, we’re developing over 200,000 square feet, including six multi-purpose courts. We’ll also have an events center and an Olympic trials pool, which will provide an economic driver for the area and continue to provide opportunities for young people into a variety of careers.”
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