BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- On a snowy December morning, members of the Bridgewater State University community were on hand to bid adieu to the Swenson Field Blockhouse.
The ceremony, which was emceed by BSU Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. Joseph Oravecz, officially signaled the countdown to the demolition of the 45-year old building. The demolition is expected to begin on Monday, December 16th.
Also on hand providing remarks at the ceremony were President Fred Clark ‘83, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Gene Durgin, Head Football Coach and BSU Athletics Hall of Famer, Joe Verria ‘81, and Head Track & Field Coach, Connor Foley ‘15. BSU Hall of Famer Richie Florence ‘74 also spoke at the ceremony. Florence was a senior captain on the football team when the blockhouse was constructed in 1974.
The blockhouse will be replaced by the Bear Paw Pavilion, a 6,500 square foot facility featuring two locker rooms convertible for 50 or 100 each. The new facility will also feature equipment storage and laundry area as well as an athletic training examining room. Construction of the Bear Paw Pavilion is expected to be completed in August of 2020.
Click here or go to the web address below to watch the video of the ceremony.