ST. LOUIS— The first of four new digital learning labs helping Saint Louisans to learn computer skills opened Monday morning. Now, the Tandy Recreation Center is equipped to provide residents with computer access, internet connectivity, digital literacy training and one-on-one help from digital navigators. Four other locations; 12th and Park, Wohl and Marquette recreation centers, are expected to open their computer labs in April.

What You Need To Know

  • Tandy Recreation Center is equipped to provide residents with computer access, internet connectivity, digital literacy training and one-on-one help from digital navigators

  • 12th and Park, Wohl and Marquette recreation centers each are expected to open their computer labs in April
  • The labs and a section of Martin Luther King Drive between Grand and Kingland will or already have Free Wi-Fi available

  • Free Wi-Fi will be a game changer for residents with each access point able to reach residents up to 500 feet away

“We have been waiting and trying to figure out how we can empower our kids, get them more involved in school,” said Juakena Callion, Recreation Commissioner for the City of St. Louis.

“It’s also a moral imperative that we not leave children and families behind who may not have a computer or internet at home,” said Major Tishaura Jones. She also advocated that residents visit a recreation center or go online to sign up for homework help, basketball, chess, senior walks and more.

This lab also makes health care more accessible for the community.

“We have people in the community that cannot access their doctors, but now, they can come to Tandy,” said Callion. “They can do a virtual doctor’s appointment.” She added BJC will be providing doctors and other health resources at the centers.

These learning labs are the product of a collaboration between the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) and the City of St. Louis.

“They can learn about what’s a brighter future for themselves,” said Neal Richardson, SLDC President and CEO. “They can get access to that job application, upload their resume. So they can contribute to our society in a positive manner.”

The labs are among 10 projects identified in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan. Technology for the lab at Tandy was donated by the BJC Foundation via a partnership with Dell Technologies and AHEAD. NPower will staff the in-person Community Help Desk and provide the digital navigators at each of the four learning centers.

Hours for the Tandy Learning Lab:

  • Monday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Free Wi-Fi will be a game changer for residents. Right now, the Wi-Fi project is in seven parks and is planned to expand to nine in April. Phase two is scheduled for 14 additional parks to provide Wi-Fi. Simon Huang, Chief Technology Officer for City of St. Louis and SLDC, spoke to the footprint this would provide to residents.

“Twenty-three parks eventually across the footprint of St. Louis, also along MLK drive: the commercial corridor between Grand and Kingland,” said Huang. “We have reports about how many people who are connecting in that MLK corridor has seen tremendous uptick on it.”

Sheila Rabbitt, the project manager for STL Free Wi-Fi and Learning Labs at SLDC, said each access point can reach residents up to 500 feet away.

"Ensuring that individuals, residences, businesses, have access to be able to not only be achieve their fullest potential but also to feel empowered," said Richardson. "To be able to serve their constituents, to be able to complete their homework assignments or just be able to surf the internet to learn about what’s happening in the world.”