WOBURN - A lifelong city resident donated $150,000 to the School Committee Tuesday night for the construction of four new tennis courts at the WMHS site.

During a special meeting Tuesday night, the School Committee agreed to the one stipulation attached to the generous gift from West Street resident John Flaherty: That the courts be dedicated to the late James F. Brennan, the former WMHS vice-Principal and football coach.

The donation, according to Mayor Thomas McLaughlin and School Committee Chair Joseph Crowley, will ensure that work on the tennis courts can commence immediately.

The lack of an adequate playing space for the WMHS athletes had resulted in a summer-long "letter to the editor" campaign by local tennis enthusiasts, who were calling upon city officials to construct at least four new courts in time for the spring season.

"We're overwhelmed and very appreciative. That's an understatement," said Crowley to Flaherty last night.

"It's such a generous thing that you're doing. This is going to effect so many students. It's a great offer and a great gesture," chimed in School Committee member Denis Russell. "Things like this bring a community together and make things happen."

According to local businessman Peter Lennon, he and Flaherty regularly spoke in recent months about funding some type of community project for the citizens of Woburn.

Flaherty, an alumnus of the Class of 1974, showed interest in making a donation for the tennis court construction after reading one of many letters to the editor about the need for a home court.

The Woburn native, who married his childhood sweetheart, Kathryn — also a WMHS Class of 1974 graduate — attended last night's meeting with his son, John.

Lennon, who later set-up a meeting between the West Street resident and DPW Supt. Vincent Ferlisi, didn't realize just how committed Flaherty was to the cause until he pledged $100,000 during that discussion.

"He said, 'Geez, what are we going to do?'" recalled Lennon of one phone conversation. "Then he called me back and said, 'We're getting a lot of letters to the editor about the tennis courts. What's that all about?'"

"John stepped-up and said, 'I'll put-up $100,000,'" the local businessman said, referring to the generous offer to Ferlisi. "And by the end of the meeting, it was $150,000."

Despite being heaped with high praise during last night's meeting, Flaherty declined to soak-up the limelight, instead attempting to keep the focus on Brennan, whom the courts will be named after.

"No problem. I'm happy to do it. I'm not a big talker," he responded, when repeatedly thanked and then asked to say a few words at the microphone.

A longtime WMHS sports enthusiast, James F. Brennan served as a physical education teacher before becoming asst. principal at the high school in 1957.

Brennan, who both captained and coached a Mystic Valley League Championship football team, also served as the equivalent of today's athletic director between 1941 and 1951.

Known as the school's disciplinarian, he retired from asst. principal's post after 18 years of service in 1975, exactly one year after Flaherty would graduate from the high school.

"He was just kind of my mentor while I was going to school," explained Flaherty, who married his childhood sweetheart and WMHS Class of 1974 classmate, Kathryn. "He gave me a kick in the pants when I needed it."

School officials originally intended to fund the construction of the athletic area through an appropriation from the City Council, but that portion of a $509,500 capital needs request will now be slated for other repairs.

City engineer Jay Corey, in conjunction with school officials and DPW Supt. Vincent Ferlisi, have already crafted a $175,000 proposal to build four new courts at a site sandwiched between Oakwood Lane and the White Elementary School.

In a concession to neighbors abutting the area, city officials agreed earlier this summer to create a new roadway to the courts, located off of an existing Montvale Avenue entrance that runs parallel to Oakwood Lane.