Delaney Decoo is a sprinter at heart.

The sixth grader at Boston Collegiate Charter School found her passion for running short distances — 100s and 200s — as a youngster, and earlier this month, Delaney became nervous that she’d lose the outlet she uses to unleash her adrenaline.

Delaney has run with Boston United for the past four years, turning out more Saturday mornings than not to the Melnea A. Cass Recreation Center in Roxbury to attend practices with her friends and acquaintances for free.

But then the track-and-field club lost the state-owned rec center it has called home since its inception in 2011.

Gov. Maura Healey transformed the facility into a temporary overflow site, particularly for the many homeless migrant families sleeping overnight at Logan International Airport, through the end of May.

In the meantime, Boston United, run solely by volunteers, has taken up a temporary residence by turning to the nearby Reggie Lewis Center, a premier indoor track-and-field facility that tailors to many regional and state high school championship meets.

Despite the change in location, it’s evident that Delaney’s passion for running hasn’t hindered. After sprinting around the track early Saturday morning, she sat in the bleachers listening to music before being congratulated by her mother.

“I’m really happy because I was worried that we weren’t able to but we are,” Delaney told the Herald of how it feels to continue to live out her passion despite a chaotic, uncontrollable situation.

Roughly 30 members of Boston United, all between the ages 4 and 18, participated in Saturday’s practice before the Roxbury Community College-operated Reggie became packed for an MIAA state qualifier meet. About 10 other children who participate with the Boston Lions, a running club also displaced at the Cass, joined in on the action.

Boston United hosts its program indoors in the winter and outdoors in the spring. It also provides summer conditioning, cross country in the fall and year-round academic support and guidance.

Delaney’s mother, Desiree Decoo, called the club  “a community, a village that most of us parents need.” She said the state’s plan to turn the Cass center over to migrants shocked her and other parents.

“We were not unhappy that the circumstance was happening. We were just worried that we wouldn’t have a comparable space to utilize,” Decoo told the Herald. “Now having this space which is even larger, more appropriate for track, we are really happy. It may have been a blessing in disguise. Luckily, those families can receive help and we can continue to support ours.”

The club was notified in late January that its permit had been canceled, sparking some confusion before everyone learned about Healey’s plan to use the Cass to house migrants. About a week later, Boston United secured the Reggie through the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and city.

Nine of the 10 programs displaced from the Cass have been relocated, with DCR working with the last program to find an alternative location, an agency spokesperson told the Herald Saturday.

Mayor Michelle Wu, a critic of the state using the Cass as a shelter, attended Boston United’s first practice at the Reggie.

“It was great because she’s walking the walk” club treasurer Sekou Dilday told the Herald, standing alongside his father James who also coaches and young son Sekou, a runner. “Politicians are good for saying the right things but they don’t always follow through, but she came, she checked in on us.”

The Reggie was available from 6 to 9 Saturday mornings, but Dilday said earlier this month such an early start time could prove a “tough sell” for families. Because of which, officials have opted to hold practice from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

“It’s tough. It’s another school day because it’s so early,” said Thomas Stephens, whose 12-year-old son William participates with the program. “We made the adjustment because he wants to be here and wants to continue to train. That’s kind of a short-term setback for a longer term goal.”

Stephens said his son finds joy in middle distance running and cross country and uses the Boston United as a “healthy balance” with being a seventh grader at Sacred Heart STEM School in Roslindale.

“I think sometimes it can be easy to take away resources from communities that really need it because they can be an easy target,” Stephens said of losing the Cass to the migrants. “For us, it was really disappointing. We are glad we are here but the bigger discussion has to be on the long-term solutions to increase facilities like these in the community.”

Children practice as Boston United, who used to practice at Melina Cass Rec. Center, now practices at Reggie Lewis. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
William Stephens, 12, and his dad Thomas leave the facility after completing a practice as Boston United, who used to practice at Melina Cass Rec. Center, now practices at Reggie Lewis. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Children practice as Boston United, who used to practice at Melina Cass Rec. Center, now practices at Reggie Lewis. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Children are welcomed as Boston United, who used to practice at Melina Cass Rec. Center, now practices at Reggie Lewis. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)