23 Nov Under Armour And Kevin Plank Open ‘Living Classrooms’ Center
Kevin Plank and Under Armour unveiled to the Baltimore community a newly renovated 30,000-square-foot UA House, which will be an open community center operated by Living Classrooms.
The Living Classrooms Foundation works to strengthen communities through hands-on education and job training, using urban, natural and maritime resources as “living classrooms.” Its programs serve 1,100 youth and young adults daily in Baltimore and Washington D.C. along with the surrounding metropolitan areas.
UA and its Founder and CEO Plank teased the renovation of the facility in early 2016.
Located at 1100 East Fayette Street, the UA House at Fayette operated by Living Classrooms was designed to be a catalyst for innovation and could potentially reinvigorate the model of how companies and communities work together.
“I am both incredibly proud and humbled to see UA House at Fayette open its doors to the community. This center represents our values and commitment to our hometown of Baltimore, and more importantly, to the people of the city,” said Plank. “The UA House at Fayette will become a hub of activity and energy, creating an environment where all can be inspired with the resources to make their dreams a reality.”
Highlights of the new space include a covered field house, revitalized tutoring center, workforce development and entrepreneurship lab, a dance and yoga studio, a recording studio, a neighborhood kitchen and redesigned entryway.
Programs and services to be held at the UA House will be based on assessed community needs and include partners in the following areas: education; character and leadership; health, wellness and fitness; community engagement and service; and entrepreneurship and workforce development.
“Living Classrooms is extremely grateful to Kevin Plank, Under Armour and Sagamore Development Corporation. This is a game changer. Their tremendous generosity has enabled us to create an amazing resource for the community that will transform the lives of children, youth and adults every day,” said James Piper Bond, president and CEO, Living Classrooms Foundation.
The facility was funded initially with a $5 million contribution from the Cupid Foundation, the private foundation of Plank. Additional funding partners include the Baltimore Ravens and Joseph and Debra Weinberg, with Under Armour, The State of Maryland, Sagamore Development and Clark Construction Group LLC also contributing.