Welcome to

THE RISING TIDE

CENTER

The Rising Tide Center is a privately-funded Youth & Community Center. We provide FREE Youth Sports and FREE After-School to more than 1,600 local kids.

"HOW" Not "IF"

The Rising Tide Story...


At 24 years old, Cole Swartz purchased the old Kolak Administrative Building (formerly Roosevelt Jr High) in December 2020. Inspired by his mother's career as a public educator and the lack of opportunities for local youth, he was determined to turn the 100 year old building into an asset for the community.


Over the next four years, through hustle and entrepreneurship via the creation of Rising Tide Design Co; he self-funded the renovation of the 75,000sf building and surrounding grounds into a Youth & Community Center. Through an incredible team, this vision has grown into something larger than he ever imagined.


The Rising Tide Center does not take any monetary donations, grants, or public money. Everything is privately funded through Cole via The Rising Tide Foundation, Inc. 501(c)(3). This hopes to inspire others to what can be accomplished through entrepreneurship and private enterprise.

"Rising Tide Center breathes new life into old school building"

"The former Kolak Education Center and Roosevelt Junior High School at 1633 Keeler Ave. is now home to the Rising Tide Center, a privately funded youth and community facility with newly renovated classrooms, gyms, an auditorium, and sprawling athletic fields."

- View Article

OUR FACILITY

Fully-renovated and fully-featured with a host of new equipment, indoor and outdoor arenas, and ample community space to cater and grow the next generation of athletes.


All provided free of charge to the community.

2 Indoor Gymnasiums

Both newly renovated for basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, and a host of other activities. The larger of the two seats over 750 spectators.

Outdoor Sports Complex

Two beach volleyball courts, four turf futsal pitches, and a regulation-size turf flag football field. Field lighting is present for all.

12,000sqft Obstacle Course

Features 3 separate courses with two pirate ships in the middle. A third pirate ship for younger ages is located on the north side.

FREE

100% Self-Funded

A community that gets buckets together is stronger together. We're here to serve the community, both on and off the court.

Available Sports

Year-Round Athletics


We're proud to offer free and accessible youth sports month after month, season after season at the Rising Tide Center.

Below are our core offerings. Our sports list is always evolving and we occasionally seek to include new ones based on community feedback.


Spring

  Registration CLOSED

  • '26 Rec Soccer

    SOCCER

    Grades 1-6 


    Advanced players are assigned to Rising Tide FC — an elite FREE club team. Players in this league compete in the Young Sportsman Soccer League (YSSL) with over 160 other clubs in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.  


     As of the Spring '25, Rising Tide FC has 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U & 16U club teams.  


     Tryouts are REQUIRED for all club teams.  



    SOCCER (REC)    

    Grades 1-6  


    Players who do not qualify or do not wish to compete in the Rising Tide FC, or who simply wish to participate for the enjoyment of the sport are welcomed to join our recreational league.  


     Players of all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate.  


      Explore Youth Soccer    

Summer

  Registration Begins Early May

  • '26 Flag Football

    FLAG FOOTBALL

    Grades: 1-8


    We offer both Flag Football (Spring) and Tackle Football (Fall). Both of which are divided by school. Our Flag Football also consists of an elite travel team (8U, 10U, and 12U). 


    Our Tackle Football is offered to grades 3rd through 6th. It includes the teaching of proper fundamentals and tackling from a young age. Player safety is our number one priority as we seek to develop these young athletes into young men.


    Explore Our Youth Football Leagues

  • Beach Volleyball

    BEACH VOLLEYBALL

    Grades 1-6    


    Competitive 6v6 league where young players will learn the fundamentals of volleyball, including serving, passing, setting, hitting, and defensive skills. As they progress, they will be taught more advanced techniques and strategies. 


      Explore Beach Volleyball 

Fall

  Registration Begins Late June

  • Tackle Football

    TACKLE FOOTBALL

    Grades 3-6


    We are partnered with the Beloit Jr Knights to offer Tackle Football.


    Our Tackle Football is offered to grades 3rd through 6th. It includes the teaching of proper fundamentals and tackling from a young age. Player safety is our number one priority as we seek to develop these young athletes into young men.


    Explore Our Youth Football Leagues

  • Rec Soccer

    SOCCER

    Grades 1-6 


    Advanced players are assigned to Rising Tide FC — an elite FREE club team. Players in this league compete in the Young Sportsman Soccer League (YSSL) with over 160 other clubs in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.  


     As of the Spring '25, Rising Tide FC has 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U & 16U club teams.  


     Tryouts are REQUIRED for all club teams.  



    SOCCER (REC)    

    Grades 1-6  


    Players who do not qualify or do not wish to compete in the Rising Tide FC, or who simply wish to participate for the enjoyment of the sport are welcomed to join our recreational league.  


     Players of all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate.  


      Explore Youth Soccer    

  • Indoor Volleyball

    SOCCER

    Grades 1-8    


    Advanced players are assigned to Rising Tide FC — an elite FREE club team. Players in this league compete in the Young Sportsman Soccer League (YSSL) with over 160 other clubs in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.  


     As of the Spring '25, Rising Tide FC has 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U & 16U club teams.  


     Tryouts are REQUIRED for all club teams.  



      SOCCER (REC)    

     Grades 1-8  


     Players who do not qualify or do not wish to compete in the Rising Tide FC, or who simply wish to participate for the enjoyment of the sport are welcomed to join our recreational league.  


     Players of all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate.  


      ➤ Explore Youth Soccer    

Winter

Registration Begins Late September

  • Basketball

    BASKETBALL (YOUTH)

    Grades 1-8


    Our inaugural 2024/2025 winter basketball was a major success. Teams were divided by school, with over 15 elementary schools and 40 teams participating.


    Teams competed across four divisions for the Stateline Basketball Cup. Congratulations to Gaston Elementary (Varisty), Garden Prairie Elementary (NCAA), Gaston Elementary (NBA East), and Hackett Elementary (NBA West) for their championships.


    This same model will be replicated for the 2025/2026 winter season.


    BASKETBALL (CLUB)

    Grades: 3rd-8th


    The best kids from our 2024/2025 rec league were invited to play on the Rising Tide Legendz, our FREE club basketball program.


      ➤ Explore Youth Basketball

Open to the Public


When not in use by The Rising Tide Center for its own programming, our outdoor sports facilities are open for free use by the general public on the condition that the Rising Tide Center assumes no responsibility for any accidents or injuries that occur. And with the understanding that the Rising Tide reserves the right to take and make use of any and all pictures or video taken at any time on its premises.


These premises are under 24 hour surveillance and anyone who damages them will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.