What was once a former Walgreens at 5411 Geary near 18th Avenue is soon to be a Hi-Five Sports Zone, a 5,000 square foot sports facility designed for private events and athletic development.
According to their website, Hi-Five’s “classes, leagues, and camps are designed from Hi-Five’s proprietary curriculums that have been proven and tested for over 20 years”.
The facility, which includes a large basketball court, can also be used for birthday parties, team practices and other athletic events for $100 per hour.
We spoke to Ryan Tuchman, CEO of Hi-Five Sports which started as a family business in Chicago in 1990. The company also offers its programs, designed for kids age 2-10 years, in Menlo Park, Atherton and Scottsdale, AZ.
The Geary location is the first brick-and-mortar location for Hi-Five Sports, which typically relies on venue rentals from schools, Rec & Park or other indoor venues for their programs.
Ryan says that the new location will feature “kid-sized” equipment. The basketball court will be large enough for adults to play on, but hoops will be a bit lower, and it can be covered in turf to accommodate soccer, flag football and tee-ball games.
Hi-Five chose the Richmond District for their first location because “it’s in a residential part of the city where families live, and there is a lack of indoor sports facilities there. And the space was perfect for what we needed.”
The company has hired General Manager Chris Tabarez, a former San Francisco State Gator and professional basketball player in Mexico, a teacher, coach, and athletic Director to run the new facility.
Ryan says construction is already underway inside the space and they anticipate opening in May or June of this year.
The company’s icon is Mascot Murphy, a French bulldog decked out in athletic gear. Ryan said to look for him around the neighborhood and that a possible “Murphy for Supervisor” campaign may be in the works.
It will be great to finally have that space occupied on Geary. Pressure’s on, Alexandria!
Thanks to cub reporter David H. (and other readers) for the tip.
Sarah B.
Is anyone else getting worried about the proliferation of sporting businesses in the Richmond. I hear the Bridge movie theater is going to used as a baseball academy; we already have a batting practice venue; and now this. Is this a ‘hood full of jocks?
Well at least it’s not going to be another massage parlor….
I think it’s great. It gives the Richmond a fitness personality that will be unique. It complements our great park and beach access.
Sullivan’s has been gone for eons, as has Value Giant and Woolworth. They were all places I got balls, gloves and shorts. Toys always came from King Norman’s.
Did this business meet the criteria for having less than 11 establishments planet-wide as mandated by politburo?
Geeeezus! All this time and THIS is what gets approved? Locations in Marin and Atherton? I guess we know the demographic this is geared towards. This’ll be TOTALLY useful for neighborhood residents. Lame.
Great! And, what is wrong with sporting venues, and why is it necessary to label those interested in sport and physical fitness as “jocks” with a pejorative slant? This is really good news.
btw, the baseball batting practice place on Clement is run by some really nice people; they are working with K-12 schools, the “Y”; Little League baseball, etc. etc. to provide all kinds of services that relate to getting kids involved in baseball. I think that is GREAT!
Thank GOD we’re not seeing another restaurant, or drug store, or food outlet, or specialty clothing or hardware store. I am delighted with this development, and I hope we don’t have NIMBY’s opposing it.
I DID oppose the Pet Store, because we already have some good locals with those businesses. This is a new venue that has NO exposure in the Richmond – and hardly all in the City. It will attract people from outside the District. And it will serve sports-interested folks in the Richmond.
Last, what’s with the snark about Atherton and Marin? I would not choose to live in those places, but what is fundamentally wrong with the people who live there? They have money – so what?
Last, the more sport the better – much better than lazing on one’s butt and snoozing in front of the TV or a game box.
Fine by me!
I am so sick of the cynicism in this city towards places like this. This place has been empty for a while; now there’s a company that will come in and provide services to something where there is a clear demand from local folks, and all some people can do is complain. Ridiculous.
When I saw this news, I made a little private bet with myself that there would be at least one commenter saying that this was not the type of business they wanted in the Richmond District.
Wish I could collect money from myself!
It’s great to have business occupation of this huge space in our neighborhood.
I agree with Phil and J 100%.
I agree with Phil, J, and the other posters who welcome this new business. We complain about blight, yet when what seems to be a positive business decides to move into the neighborhood, people complain. I don’t get it.
I hope the business succeeds!
I am glad that any business is taking over this space and cleaning it up as it has been empty for years.
This sounds like a great place for kids. More kids is better for San Francisco and especially in the Richmond as children and families attract a diversity of businesses (also boost property values) which can only help Geary Blvd.
Anybody remember The Jungle at the 9th St shopping plaza? That was a fun place for birthdays and I hope this place is too!
Thrilled to have this business filling a space that has been vacant for far too long!