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Council hears updates on Blackstone, gym and pool repairs, and White Stadium funding
Summary
BPS officials reported short‑term repair plans for aging school facilities, said they plan assessments and targeted work for pools and gyms, and confirmed the city capital budget includes $91 million toward the White Stadium project.
BPS officials described short‑ and long‑term facility plans for several school sites during the April 15 budget hearing, including the Blackstone School, gym repairs at Josiah Quincy, district pool maintenance and the White Stadium capital allocation.
Blackstone: Officials said the Blackstone is a priority for a full rehabilitation but that past MSBA applications were unsuccessful; the district placed a placeholder in the capital plan (design funding in the five‑year plan) and said it will pursue assessments and targeted repairs while seeking long‑term financing options. Chief Ford and capital staff said exterior brick work, lighting upgrades and interior ceiling/wall work have been done to maintain safety and accessibility while the district pursues larger investments.
Gym at Josiah Quincy: Councilors pressed for faster repairs to an immediate safety concern in a gym with a metal divider and damaged flooring. BPS facilities staff said they can make a “safe condition” fix immediately from operating budgets and have obtained flooring replacement quotes; a full replacement requires more planning and funding. BPS said the immediate hazard will be prioritized for summer work and the district will explore adding the project to future capital plans.
Pools and summer programming: BPS said it established a districtwide maintenance contract for pools, completed initial assessments and prioritized repairs; the district expects most pools that require only maintenance (not capital overhaul) to be operable by summer, though three pools will need capital work. BPS staff said they are coordinating with Boston Centers for Youth & Families on swim program scheduling and staffing.
White Stadium funding: BPS confirmed the White Stadium allocation is included through the city capital budget; officials cited roughly $91 million as the allocation for the project and said more detail will be presented at the city’s capital hearing on April 17.
Why it matters: BPS said most of the district’s buildings are aged and require ongoing maintenance and capital investment; the district is prioritizing large projects through MSBA where appropriate and using operating funds and revolving maintenance funds for targeted safety and short‑term fixes.
Officials promised continued outreach to councilors and school leaders on timelines and urged joint city‑district coordination for capital projects.
