Senator Maria Collett, Representative Matt Bradford join Variety staff, supporters for ceremony
On Tuesday, October 29, Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley held a ribbon cutting of its new multi-sport turf field and refurbished community gym building. They were joined by elected and public officials including PA Senator Maria Collett, PA State Representative Matt Bradford, Montgomery County Commerce Director Steve Forster, and others.
The area’s newest multi-sport turf field was funded through a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that was championed on Variety’s behalf by PA Representative Matt Bradford and PA State Senator Maria Collett. The regulation-sized field will be open to Variety program participants and leased by area athletic organizations. It can accommodate various levels of soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and flag football play.
“The field is truly a field of dreams. Variety is a place where children and young adults feel safe. Not judged. No one is staring at them or making them feel less or that they can’t do something,” said Variety CEO, Dominique Bernardo.
Variety CEO, Dominique Bernardo with Sheila Hess, Former Philadelphia City Representative (Credit: Deanna McCoy)
The 19,200-square-foot community gym building has been redesigned into a one-of-a-kind, safe, indoor space that is split into two full-sized gymnasiums that are accessible to people of all abilities and ages. By filling in an obsolete indoor pool, Variety made way for its newest gym outfitted with state-of-the-art Teraflex™ flooring that can accommodate basketball, volleyball, futsal, and other indoor activities. The building also features a new roof, windows and doors. Both gyms are available for use and serve as community and recreational spaces in the heart of Worcester. This building will be a critical asset to Variety’s plans for year-round programs and services, as well as pivotal in the organization’s ability to secure leasing and events revenue from community groups and athletic organizations.
“Variety’s campus is a place where our staff hand a student a gardening tool and say ‘try it’. Then, we adapt as needed to make it work. It is a place where we stand next to them in the commercial kitchen and teach them to create something that gives them a sense of accomplishment. It is a place where we ask them ‘what do you like and where do you see yourself working one day’ and then we go after that dream with them. Beyond our programs, Variety is a place that answers the call for many families wondering what’s next, what’s possible, and how do we make it happen,” adds Bernardo.
Both the multi-sport turf field and community gym building are part of an ongoing, robust capital campaign – A Whole New World: Variety’s Campaign for a Reimagined Future. Earlier this year, Variety opened a new 3,000-square-foot multipurpose cabin – the first new construction on the campus in more than 40 years. With the ever-changing needs of people with disabilities as the compass, Variety’s capital project plans have two objectives: to ensure Variety can meet the dynamic needs of children and young adults with disabilities and families today, while planning for their future needs; and, to create opportunities for Variety to be a sought-out as a one-of-a-kind location for community programs and corporate events.
The campus master plan design and construction team includes Allan Myers, Bohler Engineering, Caritas Construction, Genesis AEC, Meyer Design Inc., Mid-Atlantic Sports Construction, Robert Ganter Contractors, Scott Contractors, Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, and Weaver Commercial.
Founded in 1935, Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley’s mission is to enrich the lives of children and young adults with disabilities through social, educational, and vocational programs that nurture independence and self-confidence, and prepare them for life. To learn more about Variety and its plans for a reimagined future, visit varietyphila.org/a-whole-new-world/.
