The project to build a state-of-the-art indoor fieldhouse for Dorchester youth is getting a big boost from the federal government in the form of a $1 million grant, said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, who pushed through the funding as part of an $1.5 trillion appropriations package passed and signed into law last week.
The fieldhouse— a partnership of Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester, the Martin Richard Foundation, and Boston Public Schools — will be built along Mt. Vernon Street on the Columbia Point peninsula. It will be located next to the McCormack and Dever schools.
“I am extremely happy that this critical funding was included… to create a fieldhouse that will provide a safe and educational site for our community’s children,” Lynch said in a statement this week. “Bill and Denise Richard have been friends for many years and this facility will provide families and children with more access to early education, care, academic support and character and leadership development.
Lynch added: “I give great credit to Bill Richard and Bob Scannell for their hard work and dedication in spearheading this effort, and to my colleague, Councillor Frank Baker, for his continued support. And none of this would have succeeded without the amazing work of Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, who worked to ensure this funding was included in the final bill.”
