$1.25 million gift to St. Andrew's School will expand athletics opportunities

With generous support from an anonymous donor,  St. Andrew's will launch construction of a state-of-the-art squash center, one of several new campus building projects aimed at enhancing student experience and community partnerships.

Dear St. Andrew’s community,

I am very excited to announce that next month we will launch the construction of a new, state-of-the-art squash center on the St. Andrew’s campus. The squash center is the centerpiece of several building projects at St. Andrew’s that will begin in April, including new and improved outdoor athletics facilities and a residential house for school employees.

Funding for the center was seeded by a transformational $1.25 million gift from an anonymous donor who is a longtime supporter and great friend of our school. The donor has generously designated $750,000 of the gift for the squash center and $500,000 for our endowment, which supports financial aid, faculty salaries, student programs, and campus operations. 

The 5,600-square-foot squash center will be located on the eastern side of campus and will include four courts, two locker rooms, viewing areas, and an office for the school’s athletic trainer. Additionally, a new multi-purpose, outdoor basketball court and green space adjacent to the squash center will provide an expanded campus activity area for students to play recreational sports and take part in other community-building events and gatherings. The nearby brick building currently used as storage will be renovated to serve as a much-needed team locker and meeting rooms for the school’s girls and boys soccer and lacrosse teams — and will also include restrooms that can be used by sports spectators. These are going to be truly beautiful facilities, and I can’t wait until our community can enjoy them! We expect construction to be completed in November.

In support of the entrepreneurial vision of our lead donor, we are currently developing a multi-year plan for our new squash program. Squash is a natural fit for St. Andrew’s. It is a game that immediately accommodates all abilities and levels; it demands discipline, sportsmanship, and integrity; it is a truly global sport that is growing in popularity and played around the world. It is also a low-cost athletics option that allows for year-round participation, enabling us to offer recreational and club access to all interested students, as well as a competitive winter athletics alternative to basketball. Additionally, we envision that these expanded athletics and recreational spaces will enable St. Andrew’s to strengthen community partnerships and offer auxiliary programs for youth and adults beyond the St. Andrew’s community.

In April, construction will also begin on a 2,150-square-foot single family home located on Federal Road that will be used as a residence for school employees. This is part of our ongoing efforts to expand staff and faculty campus housing in order to strengthen our on-campus community and our ability to recruit highly qualified education professionals. The house will be available for residential use in the fall of 2021.

In addition to the lead gift, St. Andrew’s has received substantial support from many of our community members and friends who have provided additional funds for the planning, design, and construction of the projects.

I am incredibly grateful for the support and vision of our lead donor, as well as that of all who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to these projects. Please stay tuned for more details about an upcoming community opportunity to honor our donors and celebrate this milestone. In the meantime, if you have any questions about these projects or if you are interested in supporting them, please contact Director of Development Kerrie Donahue.

Warmly,

David J. Tinagero
Head of School