The gymnasium at Bishop Canevin High School is in line for a makeover.
State Sen. Wayne Fontana announced this week that the school would receive a $350,000 grant that’s part of an overall $7.6 million package of project and infrastructure grants heading to communities in the 42nd senatorial district.
“We are fortunate to have so many great organizations working to make our neighborhoods such a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Fontana said. “I am proud to have advocated for these grant awards to renovate, rehabilitate and redevelop projects and infrastructure in our communities.”
Brian Fernandes, Bishop Canevin’s president, said the plan is to replace the existing gymnasium bleachers, install a new floor and paint the facility.
Fernandes said the goal is to begin work in May and to complete the project in time for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Fernandes said he’s not sure how old the gymnasium is, but it’s believed that it opened the same year the school opened, in 1959. Fernandes said the gym had some work done a few years ago “but it was minor.”
Fernandes said he and the school community are grateful to Fontana and Rep. Dan Deasy – a Bishop Canevin alum who represents the 27th District – for their help in securing the grant funding.
“Without people like them, schools like ours could not afford to do these projects,” Fernandes said.
Other West Hills communities benefiting from the $7.6 million in project and infrastructure are Neville Township, which is receiving $100,000 to make improvements at Memorial Community Park, and Stowe Township, which is receiving $150,000 for a project on Benwood Avenue.
State Rep. Anita Kulik, who represents the 45th Legislative District, said the Benwood Avenue project includes a new concrete retaining wall, concrete stairs, asphalt work, a new guide rail and chain link fencing.
Kulik said the work at Neville Township’s Memorial Park includes repaving parking lots, adding concrete sidewalks, a recreation pavilion, replacing fencing, restoring the lawn and demolishing an unused baseball field.
Kulik said an additional $45,000 in funding from the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program was awarded to Carnegie Borough for the Carnegie Community Garden Project.
All told, $795,000 in grant funding is heading toward the 45th District to support projects aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing public safety and upgrading local parks and recreation facilities, Kulik said.
The largest of the grants — $250,000 – is going to the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority on behalf of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library for renovations to the Music Hall.
The project will complete infrastructure updates to wiring, lighting, plaster, stage floor, seating and sprinkler system installation.
“These grants support projects that make a real difference in people’s daily lives,” Kulik said. “From preserving important cultural landmarks like the Music Hall at the Carnegie to upgrading park lighting so families can safely enjoy games, practices and community events, these investments help keep our communities safe, accessible and vibrant.”
The Commonwealth Financing Authority administered the grants from the Statewide Local Share Account, which is funded from the PA Race Horse Development Gaming Act, along with the Act 13 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which supports projects involving the development, rehabilitation and improvement of public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation.
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