If you’ve driven down Old Shell in the past couple of months, I’m sure you’ve said something along the lines of, “Oh, they tore down that pink house by St. Paul’s!” Or, “Wow, I wonder if the school bought that lot?”
Well, here are the answers to your burning questions, with a little help from SPS Athletics Director Shane Sullivan.
According to Sullivan, the lot was purchased by the school in December 2024. The property was bought for converting the lot into athletic fields, to keep up with the demand of the many sports offered by St. Paul’s.
When questioned about the benefits that the new fields will provide, the director stated, “This new space will provide tremendous benefits for our school community. With the large number of athletic teams we field and the limited practice space currently available, the addition of this area will relieve scheduling pressure and open new opportunities for our programs.
“By design, the space offers flexibility. We will have the ability to use it as two east–west oriented rectangular fields, allowing multiple teams to practice simultaneously, or as one full-sized north–south field that meets regulation standards for football and soccer. This versatility means it can serve as a practice facility, a competition field, or even a venue for school events and community gatherings.
“Ultimately, this expansion not only supports our current athletes but also enhances the overall student experience, fosters school spirit, and strengthens our ability to host and grow athletic and community programs for years to come.”