State and local officials gathered in Weymouth for a groundbreaking ceremony at the new Maria Weston Chapman Middle School.
The $164 million project will be the first school built in Weymouth in nearly 60 years.
“We are building this building for the community,” said School Committee Chair Lisa Belmarsh. “We’ll have sixth, seventh, and eighth graders here being educated. We have worked very, very hard to make sure that the public will have access to it. That the auditorium will be big enough to hold events for anybody who wants to attend or use it. The grounds will incorporate walking paths as well as fitness areas. It is going to be something that hopefully every single person in Weymouth can utilize.”
The school will have space for 1,470 students and will include a renovated gymnasium. It’s built with innovative education in mind. The Mass. School Building Authority will reimburse the town for $57 million.
Back in April 2019, voters approved the first debt exclusion override in the town’s history, with 6,867 (75.4 percent) of the vote in favor.
Mayor Robert Hedlund said a strong effort was made through outreach meetings to inform people on the project. He thanked state and local partners in moving it all forward.
“This project is allowing us to do a complete grade realignment, and go to a more traditional grade structure here, and have a true middle school,” said Hedlund. “That’s a big part of this. In addition to the space that it’s going to provide us it will geographically realign our schools in the districts that they serve.”
When construction started, a time capsule was found at the site. At the groundbreaking ceremony, officials opened the copper case, and found artifacts from the 1960’s. Those included directories, a yearbook, and newspaper clippings. Those will be likely placed in the Weymouth High School Humanities Center.
In the 57-year history of the building, the Chapman Middle School was formerly known as the North High School.
The new construction will include more than 250,000 square feet in space.
“It’s totally amazing that this is still on schedule, it’s on budget with everything that we’ve gone through since March,” said Michael Molisse, the Town Council Vice-President. “We’re able to keep it on track. I credit Chairman Langill and the Building Committee for keeping everything focused and moving forward.”
Ted Langill, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, was the Chair of the School Building Committee. He said this was something that was four years in the making.
“For me, the most satisfying thing is the level of teamwork that went into this. It was literally a community effort from the people, and obviously the officials. Then putting the team together we have with Hill, HMFH, and Bond, we couldn’t have a better team,” said Langill. “It’s just going great, it’s exciting. I hope the next two years go by as quickly and we can have a new school that’s, what I think, is going to be the biggest positive impact on the Town of Weymouth in some time.”
Construction is expected to be completed in September 2022.
State and local officials took part in the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
The former Chapman Middle School in Weymouth. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund and Jennifer Curtis-Whipple open a time capsule from the 1960’s. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
