With donation, New Balance gets naming rights to part of Worcester Academy campus

WORCESTER — Worcester Academy has received a multi-year gift commitment from New Balance to improve facilities for the private school, according to Worcester Academy.

The school would not reveal the size of the donation, saying New Balance did not want it to be disclosed.

The school's south campus will now be known as New Balance Performance Park. The development includes the Capozzoli Athletic Center, Morse Field, and the school's performance center.

"Worcester Academy will continue its efforts to revitalize facilities and provide spaces designed to take the Academy into its third century as a leading American independent school," a news release from Worcester Academy read.

Over the years, Worcester Academy has purchased much of the former Saint Vincent Hospital property to establish its south campus. Saint Vincent vacated the premises in 2000 for a new location downtown.

The state-of-the-art Capozzoli Athletic Center is currently under construction and slated to open fall 2025. The new athletic facility is being built as Julie Berberian takes over from Ed Reilly as the school's athletic director. Reilly has taken an emeritus role where he will consult with the school on matters such as the new athletic center.

According to the news release, Morse Field will get new turf fields.

New Balance Performance Park will also remain open for community use.

“The south campus property has long been vital to the City of Worcester, first as a family farm and later as the site of St. Vincent’s Hospital. Since adding Morse Field and the Performance Center, this pivotal parcel has stood still,” Kevin Breen, Worcester Academy’s head of school, said, according to the news release. “Now we are ready to move forward with a complete center that provides athletes and artists first class facilities at New Balance Performance Park.”

In addition to the park, select Worcester Academy varsity teams will begin wearing New Balance uniforms in the upcoming season, which the school states will allow them to wear superior athletic gear.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: With donation, New Balance gets naming rights to part of Worcester Academy campus