A journey that has been years in the making, reached a climax today with the inauguration of the Mediterranean College of Sport (MCS) and the marking of the end of the St Aloysius Sport Complex project of which the new school forms part of. The school was inaugurated this morning by Her Excellency Notary Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta.
Vassallo Group, one of the most diversified groups of companies in Malta which employs a total of 2000 persons, invested around 10 million euro in the project. The school and new facilities were built following the signing of an agreement between the Vassallo Group and the Jesuits who run St Aloysius College whose students will also be able to use most of the facilities. As part of this agreement other existing facilities such as a multi-sport indoor pavilion, a canteen, a fitness centre and two dance studios were given a total overhaul in the first phase of the project completed last year.
On this occasion guests were welcomed by MCS CEO Charlo Bonnici and messages were also delivered by H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima, the Rector of St Aloysius College, Fr Jimmy Bartolo and Vassallo Group CEO Pio Vassallo. Apart from students and educators from both the Mediterranean College of Sport and St Aloysius College guests included the shadow ministers for education and sport, Hon. Justin Schembri and Hon. David Agius respectively, the Mayor of Birkirkara, Desirei Grech, Jesuits and representatives of St Aloysius College, shareholders and members of the senior management of Vassallo Group, as well as the permanent secretary in the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Matthew Vella.
During the event short videos were shown, including one with a message by the head of international programmes of renowned Portuguese football club SL Benfica.
Vassallo Group CEO Mr Pio Vassallo announced that the Group “invested more than 11 million euro in this project creating 7,000 square meters of new sports spaces, including a 25-meter pool with a retractable roof, a gymnastics gym, new football grounds, padel courts, and a sports science centre, alongside 2,000 square meters of renovated and modernized spaces such as an international-level pavilion, dance studio, and gym.”
The Rector of St Aloysius College, Fr Jimmy Bartolo sj expressed his gratitude to all and highlighted the benefits of such a project characterized by reciprocity between the two Colleges: “Two characteristics of this project are certainly the reciprocity between the two educational institutions, and the promotion of sport in our country.”
Student-athletes joining MCS, which opened its doors for the first time on 30th September of this year, will get the chance to specialize in their respective sport disciplines while continuing their education in a school that recognizes the need for flexibility towards and understanding of the student-athlete’s needs. 95 students are currently attending the college offering secondary and sixth form education.
Additionally, the complex also includes a sport-themed childcare and kindergarten centre as well as accommodation facilities for international students as well as nurseries and teams organizing retreats and training camps for their athletes and coaches.
The Mediterranean College of Sport’s school population is expected to grow to around 400 students in the next few years.
