Boys & Girls Club to break ground on new Dorchester FieldHouse

A Milestone for Dorchester Youth

College Hype is proud to support and celebrate the groundbreaking of the transformative Fieldhouse+ project, spearheaded by two highly respected community initiatives: the Martin Richard Foundation and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD). This $70 million project represents a monumental step forward for Dorchester's youth and the entire community.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday was a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when organizations unite around a common vision. The event featured a surprise announcement from Governor Maura Healey of an additional $12 million in state funding, bringing the total raised to $55 million as construction begins.

A Vision Becomes Reality

The 75,000 square foot Fieldhouse+ facility will be built on Columbia Point along Mt. Vernon Street. This state-of-the-art complex will feature:

• Extensive indoor athletic facilities for youth sports

• Wellness and social-emotional programming spaces

• Inclusive environments for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities

• A rooftop deck and garden (to be named after 30-year BGCD leader Queenette Santos)

A rendering shows the potential for an indoor turf field in the proposed Martin Richard Dorchester Field House

As Bill Richard, co-founder of the Martin Richard Foundation, shared during the ceremony, "The Fieldhouse was born of necessity, of parents that wanted better for their kids." This vision aligns perfectly with College Hype's commitment to supporting organizations that strengthen our community and create opportunities for young people.

Comittment to Our Community

Our ongoing relationship with the Martin Richard Foundation and Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester reflects our company's core values. The foundation, established in memory of Martin Richard, who lost his life at age 8 in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, embodies resilience and community spirit that inspires us daily.

BGCD President and CEO Bob Scannell noted that the Fieldhouse will serve all 4,000 existing BGCD members and potentially add another 5,000 young people from the neighboring Ruth Batson 7-12 Academy. "All these kids here deserve to have the same access to world-class facilities as their suburban peers," Scannell said.

This project exemplifies what can happen when businesses, non-profits, and government come together with shared purpose. Mayor Michelle Wu described the facility as "game-changing, life-changing, city-changing" for generations to come.

Supporting Youth Development

The Fieldhouse project aligns perfectly with College Hype's mission to support youth development in our communities. By providing a world-class facility that combines athletics, wellness, and inclusive programming, this project will create opportunities for thousands of young people in Dorchester and beyond.

Construction is now underway, with Dorchester-based RODE Architects and Lee Kennedy Co. leading the design and construction. The project team hopes to complete the facility in 2026.

College Hype is proud to support organizations that strengthen our community. To learn more about how we can help your charitable organization with custom apparel and promotional products, contact us today.