Reviving Sporting Heritage and Architectural Grandeur

The Wesley College Old Boys Union, under the leadership of its President Capt. Navin De Silva, has embarked upon an ambitious project to restore the Wesley College Pavilion to its former glory. This initiative is part of the school’s sesquicentennial commemoration, scheduled for March 2, 2024. The restoration aims to transform the existing pavilion into a monumental sports facility while preserving its splendid architectural heritage at Campbell Park.

The pavilion’s significance traces back to its acquisition by Wesley College from the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club at Campbell Park in 1940. Believed to have been built in 1900, one year after the club’s formation, Wesley’s pavilion will soon celebrate its 124th anniversary in 2024. With archeological value and a history resembling an English country clubhouse, the pavilion was inaugurated on January 19, 1940 by old boy G.C.S. Corea, Labour, Industries and Commerce Minister at the time. The current pavilion holds nostalgic and personal memories for countless scholars of Wesley College. However, it now stands in an advanced state of decay, necessitating immediate restoration. All previous restoration attempts have proven either exorbitantly expensive or only temporary solutions.

Taking charge of this noble endeavour is the Vice Parton, Ivor Maharoof, along with a vetted ‘select committee’ constituent of dedicated and distinguished Wesleyites that includes in their ranks an exemplary banker S. Renganathan as the Project Treasurer. The committee is dedicated to renovating the pavilion, ensuring that it retains its classic colonial architecture on the same hallowed grounds. The comprehensive refurbishment will offer enhanced facilities to both players and visitors, enabling them to create lasting memories within the monumental building. The pavilion is cherished by every Wesleyite who passed through the school’s gates, further emphasizes the urgency to preserve it.