BCYF Gallivan Community Center to undergo $3 million renovation

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the BCYF Gallivan Community Center will close July 2 to undergo a $3 million dollar renovation. The BCYF Gallivan Community Center is a well-loved and well used community center and has not received a major renovation since the 1990s. Since 2016, BCYF has received a $55 million dollar Capital Plan investment in facility projects.

“This facility is very important to the community it serves and I know that you rely heavily on the community center for services,” said Mayor Walsh. “The capital project will result in a facility that you deserve and that can accommodate the programs you want.” 

The scope of work includes replacing the roof and the gym floor, installing air conditioning in the gymnasium, upgrading the fire alarm system and emergency lighting, and upgrading the power outlets and select lighting. Exterior renovations include making the center more welcoming by removing security grates and repaving the parking lot. The project is expected to take 10-12 months.

The Mayor made the announcement at the annual Gallivan Boulevard Unity Day. Unity Days were started in the 1980s in response to neighborhood tensions. The first Unity Day was held at Washington Beech Housing Development in Roslindale. The event was so successful that other developments began hosting Unity Days and now each BHA housing development holds its own annual Unity Day during the summer months featuring food, music, and activities for all ages.

At the announcement, Public Facilities Department Director Tricia Lyons shared details about the renovations with the attendees. BCYF Administrative Coordinator, Jose Rodriguez informed the attendees that all summer programs will move to the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center in Mattapan and BCYF Deputy Commissioner Michael Sulprizio assured everyone that BCYF Gallivan Community Center memberships will be honored at any BCYF community center during the renovation.  

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is the City of Boston’s largest youth and human service agency. BCYF operates 36 community centers in Boston that offer a variety of engaging and enriching programs for people of all ages created through community input and need. BCYF also oversees many citywide programs including the nationally-recognized violence intervention and prevention Streetworker Program and SuccessLink, Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program.

The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that provides subsidized housing to approximately 25,000 low and moderate income individuals and families. In addition to conventional public housing communities throughout Boston, BHA offers several rental assistance programs primarily through the use of federal and state funding.  BHA’s mission is to provide stable, quality affordable housing for low and moderate income persons; to deliver these services with integrity and mutual accountability; and to create living environments which serve as catalysts for the transformation from dependency to economic self-sufficiency.