Newton, MA— Skanska has officially broken ground on the new 26,000-square-foot Recreation & Wellness Center at Brimmer and May School in Newton, Massachusetts. The milestone marks the latest collaboration between the independent school and Skanska Integrated Solutions (SIS), the firm’s program management and consulting group, which served as project manager.
The new facility will replace the school’s aging gymnasium, originally built in 1972, and serve as a dynamic hub for athletics, wellness, and academic enrichment.
“We’re excited to continue our work with Brimmer and May School, which has now spanned over two decades, and to celebrate the recent groundbreaking of its new Recreation & Wellness Center,” said Tom Doolittle, Senior Program Manager, SIS Operations, Skanska USA Building. “The building will be a crucial addition to the school’s campus and offer state-of-the-art athletic and academic facilities for both students and faculty.”
Designed by Sasaki, the Recreation & Wellness Center will feature a gymnasium that can be configured for one regulation high school basketball court or two junior competition courts, with bleacher seating for up to 300 spectators. Additional features include a junior recreational space, fitness room, locker rooms, training facilities, and offices for athletics and wellness staff. The building will also include four flexible classrooms and a welcoming entry lobby that doubles as a space for social interaction, study, and school community events.
“The development of our new athletic facilities represents a transformational step forward for Brimmer and May School, enabling us to continue providing an exceptional educational experience for students and families in the Greater Boston area,” said Julian Hickman, Chief Financial Officer of Brimmer and May School. “These new facilities will bring many benefits to Brimmer and May School and the surrounding community: the ability to host concurrent practices, much-needed spectator space, increased fitness offerings, and four additional classrooms to better meet our academic scheduling needs. As a new venue that will be able to host the entire student body as well as provide versatile event space for community gatherings, this project strengthens our commitment to holistic student development and enriches the overall Brimmer experience. Head of School Judith Guild and I are deeply grateful for the generous support we have received from the Brimmer community, as well as our partners at Skanska for their continued support of the school’s projects.”
Skanska joined the project team at the conclusion of design development and led the selection of the construction manager. The SIS team will continue to guide Brimmer and May through construction, consultant procurement, and the oversight of quality, budget, and scheduling.
This latest project extends a long-standing relationship between Skanska and Brimmer and May School. Past collaborations include program management services for the $1.5 million renovation of the Corkin Visual Arts Center and multiple capital improvement projects between 2010 and 2019. SIS also conducted campus-wide program reviews and facility assessments to support long-term planning and budgeting.
Construction of the new Recreation & Wellness Center began in May and is scheduled for completion in June 2026.
