Constructed in 1962, our building opened as the Interbay Branch of the Boys Clubs of Tampa. At the time, the facility boasted an indoor pool, gym, rec center, auto shop — even a shooting range! In 1981, the Interbay branch pioneered a movement by hosting the pilot program to include girls in its programming. One year after that, the Boys Clubs of Tampa officially changed its name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa, and our branch carried on as such for another 30 years.

Across five decades of operation, thousands of children have benefited from the enrichment opportunities offered here, like three-time Olympic champion Brooke Bennett, who embarked on her swimming career right here under our roof. Eventually, a lack of funding created financial challenges, and the once-proud facility began to decline. The building was even being used at one point for Hillsborough County out-of-school suspensions.

In 2013, two forward-looking, community-oriented individuals purchased the building and began shaping it into The Prep of South Tampa. Operating under the ethos that body, mind and spirit intertwine to shape a person’s character, we’ve been restoring the facility and expanding our programming ever since.

With an art & science studio, baseball field, basketball gym, batting cages, education center, dance room, facilities for floor hockey and futsal, fitness center, five acres of grass, full-service weight room, martial arts do jang, modern kitchen, party areas, soccer field, a teen leaders club and much more to come, The Prep has fully embraced its mission of providing the youth of our community with the physical, mental and emotional skills to lead a generation.