City and school officials discuss Memorial Field renovations

By JAMIE L. COSTA

Monitor staff

Published: 04-19-2023 2:57 PM

Editor’s note: This story has been updated. Memorial Field has been owned solely by the City of Concord since the 1930s. An earlier version of the article incorrectly stated the owner of the property.

Memorial Field in Concord, a 36-acre complex serving athletes of all ages and in a range of sports, could see significant upgrades as early as next year.

The park off South Fruit Street, which is owned by the City of Concord, has long faced deterioration, flooding and overuse.

It’s still early in the process, but school and city officials are discussing splitting a renovation that could cost an estimated $5 million.

According to the city website, Memorial Field includes two football fields, a track, a baseball field, two softball fields, a Little League field, two soccer/lacrosse fields, 10 tennis courts, two basketball courts and open space.

“I think the need has been growing on our side, the city side and the community side,” said Concord School District business manager Jack Dunn. “Rundlett fields (could) come offline and there is a need for field space in the community. We’ve shut down several indoor fields and there are multiple different things that have put pressure on all sides to do something.”

Concord athletes, parents and coaches have voiced concern in recent years with the conditions of Memorial Field, where storms can create pools of standing water. Games at all levels, including Concord High, are often postponed or relocated due to the poor conditions.

Renovations could include better drainage, field repairs, track improvements, light installations and updated bleachers, Concord City Manager Tom Aspell said.

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If synthetic turf fields are included in the plans for Memorial Field, the City of Concord would be among the few in the state to install one. Last year, Bow residents rejected a $2.5 million project to build a turf field at the school.

At a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Jim Bouley shared the joint plans for future renovations despite what he said was the school district’s prior lack of interest.

“It’s in serious need of a whole lot of love,” he said. “This is the first time they’ve really said they want to participate financially in the revision design of the field and what the possibilities might be and this is something we’ll probably talk about during the budget process.”

Also included in preliminary budget discussions will be the installation of soccer lights at Keach Park, a new clubhouse at Beaver Meadow Golf Course and other amenities throughout the city, Bouley added.

“There is nothing in writing yet, but we have a verbal understanding that we need to work together to improve the field,” said Parks and Recreation Director David Gill.

The draft budget schedule, presented by the Finance Committee at the Fiscal Policy Advisory Committee meeting in March, will be delivered to city councilors in May. Negotiations and deliberations are expected to last through June 8 when the budget will be presented to the public for comment and committee discussion.

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