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ST. THOMAS — Education Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., and the administration of the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School (BCB) at a ceremony in the school’s gymnasium on Wednesday, August 31, unveiled the school’s newly installed hardwood basketball floors, made possible through generous donations from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and St. Thomas-based EDC company, Neltjeberg Bay Enterprises, LLC (NBE).

The high-quality, parquet flooring was donated to BCB from UVI earlier this year and refurbished this summer. NBE donated $25,000 toward the installation of the floors. Commissioner McCollum praised the public-private partnership that supported the effort.

“I extend heartfelt gratitude to our donor and to Dr. David Hall of the University of the Virgin Islands. When we approached Dr. Hall, he was very warm and very welcoming, and immediately agreed to partner with the public schools,” Commissioner McCollum said. “Once again, this is a true example of the public-private partnership and what it can do to impact our schools, our children and our community.”

Bertha C. Boschulte Principal Carver Farrow said the installation of the new floors will allow his school to accommodate national basketball tournaments that had long been hosted at other schools on St. Thomas.

“We really needed these floors because when teams from other areas come here for tournaments, such as Paradise Jam, they could not use BCB,” he said, further explaining that the basketball court’s old flooring was made from the less-durable PVC material. Mr. Farrow went on to say that the donation and installation of the new floors were significant because BCB had been the only gymnasium in the territory without wooden basketball floors.

Jazmine Grell, an NBE representative, said both she and the company’s owner have a great interest in the sport of basketball. As a result, NBE has been an avid supporter of basketball programs on St. Thomas. Grell said the company learned of the need at BCB through its involvement in community and school-based events and decided to chip in.

Peter Seipel, territorial director of athletics, said he looked forward to hosting many basketball tournaments at the BCB gymnasium. “We expect many games and tournaments to be played on this wonderful floor that we will put together for the community and this school in the months and years ahead,” he said.

The new floors were installed at the BCB gymnasium in August 2016.

Feature Image: New hardwood basketball floors installed at BCB gymnasium. (Credit: Department of Education)