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Pupils Lend Helping Hand to Finish Structure of New College Sports Complex

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St Aloysius’ College held a traditional Topping Out Ceremony this week to officially mark the moment the main structure of the new Sports Complex was completed and the final screw was secured by one of the pupils who will benefit from the building for years to come.

St Aloysius’ College Head Master, Mr Browne, invited a Junior School pupil and Senior School pupil to the top floor of the new Sports Complex to help install the final screw in the structure. The Aloysians were guided through the traditional celebrations by main contractors, CBC.

Samuel Craig of Primary 4, who was the overall winner of a Safety Poster Competition held by CBC, was joined by the College’s former Hockey Captain and recent OA, Charlotte Ross, in helping Mr Brown officially complete the main structure for the newest addition to the College’s Garnethill Campus.

For the remainder of the project Samuel’s colourful poster will adorn the site hoardings alongside those designed by the three runners-up, Anastacia Conley (P4), Anna Brown (P4) and Joseph Hesketh (P3).

Charlotte Ross, the S6 Hockey Captain for 2015- 2016 who represented St Aloysius’ College Senior School pupils at the ceremony, was proud to be a part of the ceremony, saying

“I am sure our new sports facility will bring greater sporting success for many years to come.”

Due to be completed in Autumn 2016, the new £7.5million Sports Complex will include a new multi-purpose, four-court, sports hall which can be utilised for volleyball, basketball, netball and five-a-side football. The centre will also provide a dance studio, fitness suite, associated changing facilities, a reception area and a cafe space.

The new on-campus facility will offer a host of benefits for the pupils, parents and staff of the College and will reduce travel times to the existing sports facilities located in various locations around the city.

Speaking after the ceremony, a delighted Mr Browne said,

“The ‘Topping Out’ ceremony marks a special day in the history of St Aloysius’ College. Health and wellbeing are key elements of the Magis curriculum – through which we shape pupils’ appreciation of the learning experience and ignite their passions.

“Our new sports facility will enhance the educational experience for pupils and as a school which prides itself in educating the whole person, we are excited about the legacy for current and future Aloysians in the years to come."

The building has been designed to complement the surrounding area of Garnethill which includes the prestigious Mackintosh Building and the new Reid Building which form part of the Glasgow School of Art, and will be constructed within a rectangular build of bronze aluminium, brickwork and glass.

James McAlpine, the Managing Director of the build’s main contractors, CBC, who organised the Topping Out Ceremony, was proud to be involved, saying,

“CBC are very proud to be working with St Aloysius’ College for the first time to deliver this hugely impressive facility. I’ve no doubt that the new complex will be very well used by pupils and, for a school with a rich history in sporting excellence, will help shape some of the sporting stars of the future.”

The timing of the Topping Out Ceremony was particularly fitting as the College’s ‘Be Our Sporting Hero’ Fundraising campaign reached the £100,000 mark thanks to the support and generosity of the Aloysian Community.

If you would like to make your contribution to the College’s new sports complex and help make great things happen in Aloysian sport for years to come, please follow this link: Be Our Sporting Hero