NEWS: Refurbished Sports Pavilion and new facilities inaugurated

The Sports Pavilion at St Aloysius College has been completed and was officially inaugurated on Thursday 12th January 2022.

The refurbished Sports Pavilion with additional facilities is part of a major investment in sport facilities within the complex resulting from a partnership between St Aloysius College and Vassallo Group.

This first phase of the project included the demolition and rebuilding of the spectators’ stand and other facilities such as showers and changing rooms. During this phase of the project, new facilities for physical education teachers and students were built together with dancing facilities that can be used after school hours.

During the inauguration ceremony, St Aloysius College students, teachers, members of the administration of the college, shareholders and directors of Vassallo Group and the Mediterranean College of Sport, as well as members of the Sports Complex project team were present.

Fr Jimmy Bartolo sj stated that as part of this project, students attending St Aloysius College and the Mediterranean College of Sport will benefit from the use of the latest state-of-the-art facilities, and even after school hours, the complex will also be open to sports organisations and the public. Fr Bartolo mentioned the importance of sports, especially for younger generations, and how St Aloysius College had always believed in the benefits of sports; that was why 25 years ago the sports complex was built and which now is undergoing extensive renovations. He referred to the Olympic values – Excellence, Respect, and Friendship, and how the new sports pavilion is a reflection of these values.

In his speech, the CEO of Vassallo Group Malta, Pio Vassallo, a former student of St Aloysius College, noted how Vassallo Group, which now employs 2,000 people, wants to be at the forefront when it comes to promoting sports and physical activity and it was for this reason that the Group decided to embark on this project that will also generate more employment opportunities. Pio Vassallo explained that his vision for this project is to attract local athletes as well as foreign teams and that the high level of education that student-athletes will acquire within the Mediterranean College of Sport will be fuelled by sports science monitored by professional educators and with a student-centered approach.

The event also included an exhibition match between St Aloysius students and a team comprising college teachers and representatives of the Mediterranean College of Sport, as well as a performance by Ira Losco who is herself an educator at the College.

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The next phase of the project will see the completion of a canteen and a new fitness centre which are expected to be in operation during the second quarter of this year. The project also includes the building of the Mediterranean College of Sport, accommodation on campus, a gymnastics hall , a new sports science and research centre, a swimming pool and a childcare centre, all of which will be served by underground parking.
The whole project is expected to be completed by October 2024.

** Photos by Stephen Gatt **