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

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2026 Education Design Showcase Awards

    Spaces4Learning has opened submissions for the 2026 Education Design Showcase! The awards program launched in 1999 with the goal of celebrating innovative, practical solutions in the planning, design, and construction of K–12 and higher-education facilities. EDS recognizes new developments that help achieve optimal learning environments, as well as the architecture firms that brought the ideas to life.

  • Upcoming University of Alabama Performing Arts Center Hits Construction Milestone

    The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently celebrated the topping out of its new Smith Family Center for Performing Arts, according to a news release. The university is partnering with HPM for program and project management on the facility, which broke ground in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in November 2026.

  • South Texas K–12 District Debuts Region’s First Electric Bus Fleet

    The Valley View Independent School District in Pharr, Texas, recently announced a partnership with Highland Electric Fleets to launch the district’s—and the region’s—first fleet of all-electric school buses, according to a news release.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

Digital Edition