New gym expands options at west Edmonton high school

By Cheryl Walsh

EDMONTON — St. Francis Xavier’s new gym facility has opened up a wealth of opportunity for the city and for the school itself.

With three full-sized courts and a 200-metre indoor track, space is not an issue. This proved to be true after the second annual BOOM volleyball tournament held at the school recently. Twenty-two schools from all over Alberta participated.

“We are lucky to have this because we can actually host tournaments now,” said student Bailey Ference.

St. Francis Xavier, at 9250 163 St., is a Catholic high school that focuses on athletics. It has athletic academies for students who play baseball, golf, hockey, lacrosse and soccer.

“Our new gym allows for on-site training for our athletes,” said BOOM tournament organizer Jeremy Posteraro. “All of our teams can practise right after school and no more early morning/late night practices are needed.”

With the new multi-sport facility that was added onto the school last year, finding available gym space is not a challenge. Prior to the addition, St. Francis Xavier had only one gymnasium. According to Posteraro, this is rare for an Edmonton high school.

“Frank Saporito, the soccer academy co-ordinator, pushed for an indoor soccer field to be attached to our school,” said Posteraro. “His visions were expanded into a larger multi-sport facility which is now the St. Francis Xavier Sport Centre.”

There is even an indoor batting cage that lowers down from the ceiling.

The City of Edmonton has a part ownership of the facility, and it is available to the general public. There are drop-in classes scheduled throughout the week, and the upstairs track is also available at certain times.

“We have an awesome relationship with the city and faculties staff,” said Posteraro. “Scheduling happens in June for the following school year and once our school has its allocated times, we can use the space for whatever we choose.”

The facility can accommodate more than 3,000 participants and spectators, who can watch from a mezzanine over all of the courts.

“This new facility is really fun, it also allows for more interaction between all of the schools,” said BOOM tournament participant and student Haley Lelievre.

St. Francis Xavier runs six major tournaments a year. The largest is the Mike Dea Classic basketball tournament, which takes place at the beginning of December.

“The 2011 Mike Dea Classic will be the largest tournament ever run by St. Francis Xavier,” said Posteraro. “We will be hosting 16 senior boys teams, 12 senior girls teams, eight alumni boys teams and two alumni girls teams for a total of 38 basketball teams.”

Students and staff are looking forward to the December tournament and are eager to showcase their new facility.