Massachusetts Day School Prepares for $11M Campus Addition Project

The Wheeler School, an independent college preparatory school in Seekonk, Mass., recently announced a series of capital projects in development that are set to begin construction this spring. MassDevelopment & Berkshire Bank issued an $11-million bond that will go toward an eight-lane pool; an outdoor splash pad; a restroom, dressing room, and storage building; and a new two-story early learning center, according to a news release.

Construction is scheduled for completion during summer 2025. The project’s goal is to let the school increase its summer camp enrollment, host swim events, and remove the logistics of renting pool time and space for the school’s swim team.

“These additions to The Wheeler School’s academic and recreational facilities will be a win for students, families, and community members,” said Dan Rivera, MassDevelopment President and CEO. “MassDevelopment is pleased to partner with Berkshire Bank to deliver tax-exempt financing that is helping the school enhance learning experiences for years to come and add to its long-term competitiveness.”

The early learning center, “The Nest,” will offer nature-themed education and activities for preschoolers. In addition to the built facility, the amenities will include an exterior boardwalk and landscaping. The farm campus currently plays home to eight athletic fields, a field house, eight tennis courts, a track and field complex, a pool and pavilion, and adequate space for a biological and ecological field laboratory, the news release reports.

“The Town of Seekonk welcomes this significant investment by The Wheeler School, made possible through MassDevelopment's tax-exempt bond issuance,” said Seekonk Town Administrator Shawn E. Cadime. “These planned capital projects will not only enhance the school's facilities but also enrich our community by expanding recreational and educational opportunities. The addition of a new pool, nature-based early learning center, and other improvements will further solidify Seekonk's reputation as a thriving and supportive environment for education and growth. We are grateful to MassDevelopment for their unwavering commitment to economic development and their dedication to the growth of local communities. Their partnership in this endeavor highlights the positive impact that strategic investments can have on our town's future.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Acquires VPS Architecture

    Full-service planning, architecture, and engineering firm Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has acquired VPS Architecture, according to a news release. The move will help strengthen Wold’s education and public-sector design expertise, industries in which both companies have strong pre-existing ties and relationships.