Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Councilman Oswald Feliz (C.D. 15) joined students and Doreen Kendall, principal of M.S. 45, the Thomas C. Giordano School, in Belmont on June 27 to break ground on a new $6.05 million renovation of the school’s playground.

 

Officials said the playground, located at 2464 Lorillard Place, will be receiving new turf fields, re-painted handball courts, a baseball field, a painted asphalt track, a soccer field, a new entrance, a seating area, and more.

Feliz, a graduate of M.S. 45, said, “Playgrounds like this one are crucial. This is where our children come to play and to learn new sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and handball. This is also where families come to relax after a long week. Places like this one are crucial and they’re also needed.”

 

According to Feliz, construction was set to begin during the first week of July. “As a council member, education is a top priority for me. Every single day I am fighting to make sure our students have what they need to thrive inside the school building, but also everything they need to thrive outside of the school, including a state-of-the-art playground like this one.”

For her part, Gibson said, “There is nothing greater that we can ever invest in than education. It is the pathway to a better tomorrow for every young person, and yes, that includes modernized playgrounds. It matters from a perspective of the community as well, making sure that all of our residents and families can see the beauty we represent here at M.S. 45.”

 

She continued, “I call it a dream yard because we have big dreams as a community. We have big dreams for our young people. We want them to be successful and have modernized spaces so they can play basketball, baseball, softball, track and field. That is also important with health and wellness.”

The borough president concluded, “Physical fitness is incredibly important to build healthy students and healthy families.” Meanwhile, Kendall said the school staff and students were indebted from the bottom of their hearts for the renovation. “Trust when I say my kids will put this to very good use,” she said. “We are so excited and thrilled and deeply appreciative of the support.”

 

According to Feliz’s office, construction is expected to be completed in about 18 months. The revamped space will also be available to use for the public after school hours.