19 . . . . . . Blessing and Dedication of the new College Sports Facility

from AMDG Magazine Spring 2017

Events & Reunions - Recent and Forthcoming

A NEW ERA IN SPORT FOR THE COLLEGE

The College realised a sporting ambition on Monday 6 March as Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Gregor Townsend and Scottish Hockey Internationalist Susan McGilveray officially opened a brand new sports facility on our Garnethill campus. The building was then blessed and dedicated by Fr Dermot Preston SJ, the British Jesuit Provincial.

The event opened with music from the College Schola, before brief speeches from the Chairman of Governors John Hylands, Head Master Matthew Bartlett and Director of Sport, Dean Tearney. Gregor Townsend and Susan McGilveray then took questions from pupils about their lives in sport and how pupils can be inspired by their sporting endeavours.

The construction of a new sports facility has been in the planning for quite some time, and all four Head Masters who have presided over the project from conception to completion – Fr Adrian Porter SJ, John Stoer (the first lay Head), John Browne and current Head Master Matthew Bartlett – were present to see their sporting ambition come to fruition. Chairman of Governors, John Hylands said: “We are very proud of what the College has accomplished in realising its long-held ambition of building a sports facility on Garnethill” and thanked the Society of Jesus for their continuing support of the College.

Head Master, Matthew Bartlett spoke of a collective pride in being part of the continuing history of the College and added “We look forward to seeing our pupils engage in a wider range of sports and achieve their goals, making the most of their talents and ultimately, inspiring others. Great things do happen when we get active.”

L to R: Fr Porter, Mr Browne, Mr Hylands, Mr Bartlett, Mr Stoer, Fr Preston SJ

College Schola

The new on-campus facility will offer a host of benefits to pupils, parents and staff of the College, even reducing travel times to the existing sports facilities located around the city. Previously, all certificated classes from National 5 to Advanced Higher were often taught off site. All of these classes will now take place on the main campus.

Gregor Townsend and Susan McGilveray

Director of Sport, Dean Tearney said: “We are giving our pupils the best chance of fulfilling their potential academically and physically, as well as discovering why they love sport.”

Gregor Townsend said: “Sport is great, whether you enjoy doing something you’re good at it, or just being part of a team. Sport gives your body and mind a rush of energy from doing a dance class or competing on an international stage. My advice to the aspiring sports men and women at the College is to find as many sports as possible that you enjoy. Having a wonderful facility such as this at your fingertips already gives you a head start – go out and grab the opportunity!”

Susan McGilveray, whose invaluable experience and expertise has been shared with pupils over a number of years through hockey coaching and umpiring, said: “This is the start of

something special for the College and its pupils. Every pupil at the school has a new opportunity to engage in sport at all levels. The reduced travel time will allow pupils more time to spend on their fitness and the inclusion of the fitness suite adds another dimension to their training and will only help improve the quality of teams going forward.”

About the Building

The building has been designed to complement the surrounding area of Garnethill, including the prestigious Mackintosh Building and the new Reid Building which form part of the Glasgow School of Art. The sports facility has been constructed within a rectangular build of bronze aluminium, brickwork and glass and is located on what was fondly known as ‘the pitch’ or ‘the pound’.

The enormous four-court double-height Games Hall on the first floor is overlooked by Spectator Galleries on the top floor.

Facing Dalhousie Street on ground level is the fully kitted out “Hugh Wallace Fitness Suite”, gifted in memory of former pupil, Hugh Wallace, by Sir Arnold and Lady Clark. Lined up smartly in the Fitness Suite are treadmills, bikes and strength and conditioning equipment, and the words “Ad Majora Natus Sum” proclaim an ambition in tall letters on the windows.

On the corner of Dalhousie and Renfrew Streets, with a view to Glasgow’s south side, is a bright and airy Dance Hall which opens out onto an elevated paved Terrace surrounded by a glass balustrade on Renfrew Street. Extending from this Terrace are the Aloysian Steps, which wrap around the corner and bear the names of 39 Old Aloysians or people who have been significant to the life of the College.

Back on the ground floor, The Conley Changing Rooms put any private health club to shame with their facilities and contemporary finish.

The Suburban Café on the first floor – a pleasant space offering healthy snacks and meals for pupils - opens out onto The McDermott Terrace overlooking Hill Street and the remaining playground area, which will be landscaped with donor Trees and Locharbriggs red sandstone Wall Seats, where new generations of pupils will play for years to come.