Maddie Potts Memorial Field House

In December, 2019, The Maddie Potts Memorial Field House had already jumped its second hurdle! Getting a unanimous approval to proceed from the Chariho School Committee! In March, 2019, we surpassed the first hurdle, getting try-town approval of Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinson. Maddie’s Foundation looks forward to giving back to the Chariho community and all those that have supported Maddie throughout her athletic career. The Field House has been funded in its entirety, including all architectural and septic design costs, by Maddie’s Foundation as we had been able to raise over $1,000,000. Our funding, as well as the initial ground breaking, scheduled April 11, 2020 was destroyed by the pandemic, also increasing our costs of construction by over $600,000.

The Field House spans over 3,000 sq. ft. and is accessible for all sports, particularly for their home games, including football, baseball, field hockey, track, cross country, men and women’s soccer and lacrosse. It includes an athletic training room, home locker rooms and upgraded concession stand, allowing for our Booster Club to increase their revenue, 5 indoor handicap accessible, gender neutral restrooms, a private officials locker room and a central “Maddie Mentality” Atrium meant to host senior nights and small community events.

For information in hosting an event here, please contact Chariho High School Administration offices at (401) 364-7575.

Our timeline was to have a ceremonial groundbreaking on April 11th 2020, in honor of what would have been Maddie’s 20th birthday, and have this complete by September 23, 2020, the 3 year anniversary of Maddie’s passing. Unfortunately, the coronavirus had other ideas. We were still able to persevere and have a ground breaking ceremony April 11, 2021 to include the Class of 2021 who were Freshman when Maddie passed. The day was sponsored by Yurview Productions titled “From Field to Field House - Continuing a Legacy”. Maddie would want her teammates and friends to leave Chariho on a more positive note than what many started in September of 2017.

Our original goal, to build The Maddie Potts Memorial Indoor Track and Practice Facility was put on hold as that will take several years and several million dollars. Instead, we have focused on the more immediate needs of our athletic teams and supporters (indoor bathrooms, running water for concessions) and have added the “wants” to better host visiting teams and officials and have a place for athletes and fans to “escape” during the unpredictable New England weather. We are hopeful to initiate a collaborative effort between southern Rhode Island school districts and Maddie’s Foundation in the coming years, as well as continuing our collaboration and support of Hasbro Children’s Hospital.