Rob Hale (left) and Bob Scannell (right). Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The plan to bring a new sports and youth center to Dorchester is getting a big push toward the finish line thanks to a massive donation.
To celebrate his running of the Boston Marathon, CEO of Granite Telecommunications Rob Hale and his wife Karen decided to donate $26.2 million to various charities in the region. The Hales gave a $9 million contribution to the Dorchester Field House Project, adding to their previous donation of $1 million.
“The most important organization affiliated with the marathon is the [Martin Richard Foundation] and the field house they are going to build in Dorchester with the Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Rob Hale.
According to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, roughly 50,000 children live within a three-mile radius of the facility. President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester Bob Scannell called the donation a “game-changer.”
“We’ve been in the community for 50 years. It’s by far the largest donation we’ve ever received in all those years and, in my opinion, the most significant,” said Scannell.
The 75,000-square-foot facility will feature indoor courts, a turf field, a walking track, a teaching kitchen, a roof garden, a theater, a fitness center and conference rooms. The front yard will also feature a café, seating spaces, outdoor courts, gardens and retail space.
Photo: Dorchester Field House
The fundraising goal for the project is $75 million and Scannell said this donation brought the sports and youth center’s funding to 50 percent. Their donation has also led to more donors.
“We’re [going to] get this done quicker than we had anticipated because of this gift,” said Scannell.
They expect to break ground on the project in the fall of 2024 in Dorchester’s Harbor Point neighborhood.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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