June 10, 2009

By Rick Winterson

It was five years ago in June of 2005 that the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center first opened its doors.  Since then, it has consistently met or exceeded the most optimistic projections of its convention bookings.

In its initial years, gate shows were not permitted in the Convention Center, for fear of noise and congestion problems.  However, major convention bookings like the Boat Show didn’t cause any such problems, so three years ago, a limited number (four per year) of gate shows were allowed.  As a mitigation to the neighborhood, a portion of the gate show receipts were diverted into a fund that would be distributed to worthy South Boston non-profits.

In order to manage these funds effectively, the South Boston Community Development Foundation (the SBCDF) was set up.  Its members were drawn from the ranks of activists in the South Boston community.  The SBCDF is chaired by Joseph “Dodo” Nee. 

In two prior rounds of grants – 2007 and 2008 – the SBCDF has distributed more than $400,000 to many tax-exempt non-profit agencies in South Boston.

Last Tuesday, the 2009 numbers were even better.  Sixty-one South Boston agencies covering an incredible array of community services received a total of $324,000 – their share of ticket receipts from 2008 gate shows at the Convention Center.  Many groups from the Fort Point district, including the Boston Fire Museum, were new recipients of the gate show ticket largesse.

James Rooney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (the MCCA), greeted the attendees.  A blessing was offered by Fr. Joseph White of St. Vincent de Paul Church.  SBCDF Chair Joseph “Dodo” Nee emceed the grant ceremony, noting James Rooney’s key role in setting up the SBCDF.  State Sen. Jack Hart reminisced about the initial planning for the waterfront development; City Councilor Bill Linehan congratulated the recipients and expressed his gratitude to the SBCDF.

The award recipients were then called forward by members of the SBCDF to get their grants.  It was a joyful and memorable occasion.