North Austin Community Center

Long a vacant lot and former brownfield, the site of the North Austin Community Center (NACC) has been transformed into Chicago’s first nonprofit campus dedicated to sports, wellness, and education. A partnership among CNI, Intentional Sports, Grace and Peace Church, and By the Hand Club for Kids, the $35 million project delivers opportunities for youth and adults across the West Side.

Modeled after the Pullman Community Center, also developed by CNI, the NACC is a 130,000+ square foot state-of-the-art facility on a 10-acre campus. It includes 50,000 square feet of indoor athletic turf, Chicago’s only indoor FIFA-regulation soccer arena, two full-size basketball courts, a community auditorium, a café, and 25,000 square feet of classrooms dedicated to tutoring, mentorship, and educational programs. A clubhouse offers technology instruction and academic assistance, while the surrounding grounds feature playgrounds, athletic fields, and courts.

The Center serves 60,000 individuals annually, providing more than 100 hours each week for community sports, classes, and gatherings. It has already created 55 permanent jobs, with 85% of hires from the North Austin community. From Memorial Day to Labor Day 2024, the surrounding neighborhood experienced a 15% reduction in summer violent crime, underscoring the Center’s role as a catalyst for safety and opportunity.

Thanks to land made available by the City of Chicago and support from the State of Illinois, the North Austin Community Center stands today as a hub of activity, learning, and fellowship – delivering on its mission to bring lasting educational, athletic, and wellness opportunities to Chicago’s West Side.