The mission of the tennis dome in Spring Lake Park is to use technology to enable the sport of tennis to be affordable, and Tim Jachymowski is achieving that goal.

Jachymowski, 41, is the owner of the tennis dome, which opened for tennis on Nov. 23 last year.

Jachymowski told Sun Focus he'd been looking to build a public indoor tennis facility for about six years. He considered the existing dome facility located at 7833 Hwy. 65 N.E. in Spring Lake Park and purchased it.

"The cost came down significantly at the end and it made it happen," he said. "It's great. It's been a dream of mine."

The facility, featuring four indoor tennis courts, allows customers to view and book court times and pay online at www.publicindoortennis.com.

"The economics of indoor tennis are such that it's a large area that needs to be heated and lighted," Jachymowski said. "The amount of money we can make per square foot is not ideal in the tennis business."

The use of technology to replace the work of people allows the business to become more efficient, he said.

"There are other indoor tennis facilities in the area, but none that are using technology the way that we are using it."

Jachymowski hosts an after-school program at the dome from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Through the winter, 12 to 24 students from many area communities will play each day.

A former Centennial High School boys' tennis coach, Jachymowski attracted business by sending e-mails to contacts from his coaching days.

Ryan Streckert, a sophomore at Blaine High School, began playing tennis in March and started participating in the dome's after-school program this fall.

"It's pretty fun," he said. "I like the coaches."

Tony Larson, 24, works at the tennis dome as the head professional. He runs all the adult and junior programs and teaches private lessons.

Larson has played tennis competitively since he was about 10. He continued playing through high school and college and played lower-level professional tennis.

Larson told Sun Focus he played tennis with Jachymowski's son in college, and when he graduated from St. Cloud State University last fall, Jachymowski offered him a job.

"It's a great vision that Tim has to make tennis more affordable for the public," Larson said. "The kids here that play would probably not play at all if it wasn't for this facility.

"I've seen a lot of improvement in quite a few kids," he said. "We're really glad that they can be a part of this."

Said Jachymowski: "I've enjoyed seeing the customers enjoy themselves. I've enjoyed watching [the facility] grow and succeed."

For more information, call Tim Jachymowski at 763-231-3109 or visit www.publicindoortennis.com.

"It's pretty fun," he said. "I like the coaches."

Tony Larson, 24, works at the tennis dome as the head professional. He runs all the adult and junior programs and teaches private lessons.

Larson has played tennis competitively since he was about 10. He continued playing through high school and college and played lower-level professional tennis.

Larson told Sun Focus he played tennis with Jachymowski's son in college, and when he graduated from St. Cloud State University last fall, Jachymowski offered him a job.

"It's a great vision that Tim has to make tennis more affordable for the public," Larson said. "The kids here that play would probably not play at all if it wasn't for this facility.

"I've seen a lot of improvement in quite a few kids," he said. "We're really glad that they can be a part of this."

Said Jachymowski: "I've enjoyed seeing the customers enjoy themselves. I've enjoyed watching [the facility] grow and succeed."

For more information, call Tim Jachymowski at 763-231-3109 or visit www.publicindoortennis.com.