Elected & Community Leaders Break Ground On New Pawtucket High School
$326 million Pawtucket High School will create a transformative new 375,000 sq ft learning space for 2,100 students.
PAWTUCKET, RI – This morning, elected and community leaders including Governor Dan McKee, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green, Pawtucket City Council members, Pawtucket Schools Acting Superintendent Randy Buck, and Pawtucket School Committee members came together for a ceremonial groundbreaking project for the new Pawtucket High School project on the site of the former McCoy Stadium. The $326 million project will create a transformative new 375,000 sq ft learning space for approximately 2,100 high school students. The project team includes owner’s project manager Colliers Project Leaders, construction manager Shawmut Design and Construction, and architect Jonathan Levi Architects.
“My administration is committed to partnering with local communities to create high-quality learning environments that foster innovation and support student success,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Together with other state-supported projects—like the new soccer stadium, train station, and housing developments such as Dexter Street Commons—this new school represents a vital investment in Pawtucket’s future: its people, its neighborhoods, and our local economy.”
“Today is a great day for the students of Pawtucket who deserve a modern, 21st century learning environment that prepares them for success,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “McCoy Stadium holds a special place in the hearts of so many, filled with cherished memories of baseball games, concerts, and community events. While we honor and celebrate that rich history, we also move forward and focus on what’s next for our city. Today, we break ground on a state-of-the-art new high school that invests in our students, our families, and our entire community. This project will provide transformative opportunities for generations of Pawtucket Schools students to come, and we thank our residents for their support and patience as we embark on this exciting project.”
“The General Assembly was proud to pass legislation to invest in the new Pawtucket High School campus,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “It is very fitting that the site of the former McCoy Stadium will be transformed into a state-of-the-art educational facility. Many of us remember when Ben Mondor revitalized the stadium, as well as the team that played here. Mr. Mondor was also an exceptional philanthropist who loved our state and gave back tremendously to create more opportunities for others. In fact, just before he passed away, Mr. Mondor and his wife Madeleine helped a local school move to a bigger facility so it could help even more students. I think he’d be pleased that the site he loved will now be the home of Pawtucket’s modern, unified high school.”
“The groundbreaking of Pawtucket ‘s new high school marks a historic moment for a major investment that will allow more students to learn and thrive in a 21st century school,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “The new unified school will offer cutting-edge tools and features that will enhance learning and engagement and empower students and teachers to succeed. RIDE is proud to be a partner on this project, and I look forward to returning for the grand opening and celebrating alongside members of the Pawtucket community.”
“Breaking ground on the new Pawtucket High School marks an exciting and transformative moment for our school district,” said Acting Pawtucket Schools Superintendent Randy Buck. “This project represents a bold investment in our students, our families, and the future of education in Pawtucket. McCoy Stadium holds a special place in our community’s history, filled with memories that will always be cherished. But soon, we will turn the page to a new chapter, one that ensures every student has access to a modern, innovative learning environment that prepares them for success in college, careers, and beyond. I’m honored to stand alongside our city leadership, school committee, and residents as we embark on this journey together. The work we do today will shape the future of Pawtucket for generations to come.”
“Entering the demolition phase of this project is bittersweet for many in Pawtucket, me included,” said Pawtucket City Council President Terrence Mercer. “I grew up a block from McCoy and the stadium was essentially the backdrop for my entire childhood. It even provided me with my very first job hawking popcorn and peanuts in the stands. But that’s the past, and this project is about the future, the future of Pawtucket, and the future of generations of students thirsty for knowledge and growth, and eager for the additional Career and Technical Education training that will assuredly make attainable the bright future we wish for them.”
“The demolition of McCoy Stadium signifies the end of an era in Pawtucket, but it also initiates a new chapter for our high school students who will attend a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance their future and cultivate their potential,” said Omar Reyes, Pawtucket School Committee Chair and Joanne Bonollo, Deputy Chair. “We are committed to continuing McCoy Stadium’s legacy by establishing a school that will host our students’ aspirations, joy, and success, and by providing enhanced educational opportunities for the residents of our city. The construction of our new unified high school will serve as a beacon and symbol of collaboration between City Hall, the City Council, the School Committee, and, most importantly, the residents of Pawtucket.”
“As we start construction on the new Pawtucket High School, we do so with deep respect for the history of this site and a shared commitment to what lies ahead,” said Chris Maury, Head of Preconstruction, New England Region / Head of Rhode Island Operations at Shawmut Design and Construction. “McCoy Stadium has been a beloved part of this community for generations, and we recognize how much it has meant to so many. This next chapter builds on that legacy—a modern, forward-looking high school that will serve as a vibrant hub of learning and opportunity. We’re honored to help bring this vision to life and to deliver a space that meets the needs of today’s students and the future of Pawtucket.”
Completion of the new Pawtucket High School is anticipated in December 2028. Detailed information about the construction project and the features of the new Pawtucket High School can be found at psdri.net/pawtucket-high-school/.