Pat Connaughton Foundation Donation Supports Racine King Center Project
RACINE, WI // WisPolitics.com – The Pat Connaughton Foundation, founded by Milwaukee Bucks player Pat Connaughton, is donating to support the indoor basketball court construction at the City of Racine’s catalytic Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
The indoor court is part of the $68 million community center planned for the Lincoln-King neighborhood that will also have a Federally Qualified Health Center to serve low-income residents. Proposed to break ground this year, the King Center will create more space for community basketball and other recreational programs for adults and children in an area where the majority of residents are African American and Latino.
“The King Center shares our mission of creating access to athletics to the next generation of student athletes,” Pat Connaughton said. “We’re doing more than just building a basketball court—we’re cultivating environments where sports can impart essential life skills like hard work, teamwork, leadership, accountability, and discipline. By investing in the children of Racine, we’re laying the groundwork for healthier, happier futures and long-term success.”
The Pat Connaughton Foundation is committed to improving the lives of young athletes by making sports accessible to kids across the world. To date, the foundation has built 8 courts with 7 underway as a place for student athletes of all ages and backgrounds to come together, learn the translatable life skills that sports teach, have fun, and in the process be more successful in school, and less likely to engage in violence or use illegal substances.
“Thank you to the Pat Connaughton Foundation for supporting this project that will bring vital resources to address challenges our students and families face every day,” Racine Mayor Cory Mason said. “The King Center means better health, grades, and free throw percentages for Racine’s most diverse and economically challenged neighborhood.”
After several years of community input and fundraising for the King Center, the City of Racine could start construction this fall, pending approval by the Common Council during its August 20 meeting. Under that schedule, the new center would open in the third quarter of 2026.
The King Center would be built north of Julian Thomas Elementary School at West Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Its gymnasium and the court sponsored by the Pat Connaughton Foundation would host after-school programming for students at Julian Thomas, and would provide a larger space to continue and expand the recreational programs that currently are held in the existing King Center.
The new building will also have classrooms, a reading room, computer lab, esports studio, and a community kitchen with an attached dining room. Its health center will offer adult and pediatric medical and mental health care services. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, it will provide care to patients without discrimination based on their ability to pay.