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The Haverhill School Committee gave the go-ahead last week to the construction of two new indoor tennis and pickleball courts at the High School campus.
Project Manager Kathleen Lambert told the Committee Thursday the building will be conveniently placed.
“It creates a very nice complex, easy access for students to get to the building. It’s right there in the sports center complex with the gym and the pool. It give the opportunity to have indoor facilities for tennis practice,” she said.
Currently, the school has only outdoor tennis courts making it difficult for the school team to practice in cold weather. Lambert pointed out those three outdoor courts will remain, making a total of five available practice courts.
The cost of the new building is about $3.4 million, but Committee member Paul A. Magliocchetti pointed out nearly a third is being donated by local businessman, Ernie DiBurro.
Ernie DiBurro. (WHAV News file photograph.)
“Ernie DiBurro has donated a million dollars towards this facility. He’s actually already purchased the modular buildings. He’s been such a great citizen of Haverhill. This is one more demonstration of the man’s passion and how much he cares about the city,” he said.
The remaining $2.4 million will be paid for by the city with a unique arrangement where the city Recreation Department will be running the complex for public use nights and weekends and the school will use it for students during school hours.
The new building will be located on what is now a student parking lot. As such, new Student Advisory Representative Melanie Palacios asked how plans affect student parking. Lambert responded a new gravel parking lot will be added at the campus.
Committee members voted 6-0 in favor of the construction plans and location with Committee Member Maura L. Ryan-Ciardiello absent.