St. Columbkille Students on their new playground. (Lee Pellegrini)
The St. Columbkille Partnership School has dedicated a new, $1.2 million outdoor recreation facility, marking another step in a decade-long University partnership that has helped revitalize the last Catholic elementary school in Brighton.
With a $1 million donation from the Yawkey Foundation and contributions from alumni and other donors, the pre-K through 8 school replaced a parking lot with a year-round playing field, running track, basketball court, space for gardening and landscaped areas.
The outdoor complex is part of a $3.6 million capital initiative to expand and upgrade the 115-year-old school鈥檚 campus at the corner of Arlington and Market streets, said 51茶馆鈥檚 Peter McLaughlin '59, a fellow at the Boston College Roche Center for Catholic Education chairman of St. Columbkille鈥檚 board of trustees.
鈥淲ith the generous support of the Yawkey Foundation, we have completed the second phase this year by transforming our parking lot into an outdoor recreation center which includes a turf field and sports court,鈥� said McLaughlin.
鈥淪t. Columbkille continues on an upward trajectory as manifested by the improvements in our physical plant,鈥� McLaughlin added. 鈥淭his outdoor recreation center will enable us to help our students live a lifestyle that emphasizes the importance of physical activity, wellness and healthy development.鈥�
The facility was dedicated on May 25 in memory of the late Sister Michaeline Twomey (1915-95), a member of the Brighton-based Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, which has a long-standing relationship with the school. Sister Twomey 鈥渕odeled the true joy that love of God and learning bring to our lives,鈥� reads a plaque placed near the playing field.
University President William P. Leahy, S.J., blessed the new play space during the ceremony, which was also attended by Fr. Richard Fitzgerald of St. Columbkille Parish, officials of the Yawkey Foundation and the Archdiocese of Boston, and teachers, students and parents from the school community.
Head of School William Gartside said the new recreation center will expand opportunities for educational and enrichment programs for a student body drawn predominantly from the neighborhood.
鈥淔or 115 years, St. Columbkille鈥檚 kids have played on blacktop,鈥� said Gartside. 鈥淭hanks to the Yawkey Foundation, donors and Boston College, they now have a beautiful play space.鈥�
In a statement, the Yawkey Foundation said it seeks to continue 鈥渢he legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey by making significant and positive impacts on the quality of life of children, families and the underserved. St. Columbkille Partnership School鈥檚 mission is consistent with these goals. The beautiful outdoor recreation center will serve the children of Brighton for many years to come.鈥�
Since the partnership launched in 2006, the University has funded capital and technology improvements at the school, provided programs and services, offered graduate courses for teachers and provided hundreds of faculty, student and staff volunteers.
Gartside said the new recreation center will help fulfill the school鈥檚 educational mission.
鈥淲e value the development of the whole child,鈥� he said. 鈥淯p to this point, we鈥檝e done the job with academic and spiritual life, but never had the facility to give high-quality physical education, which is important for fitness as well as social development.
鈥淥n these fields and courts, students learn how to play and compete and challenge themselves to be the best they can be while respecting others who are around them. Without this field, it is difficult to accomplish that. These students who work so hard, deserve a place where they can play hard as well.鈥�
By Ed Hayward | News & Public Affairs